ICC T20 World Cup 2022: “I Am Trying To Give My 100%”- Shaheen Afridi Still 'Trying To Get Back To Full Fitness'

Ace Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi has said that he is trying to give his 100% in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 for the team after coming back from a long injury layoff and is still trying to get back to full fitness after Men in Green recorded their maiden win in the tournament against the Netherlands.

The Babar Azam-led side lost to India in their opening encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Group 2 of the Super 12s stage and despite all signs of winning, they lost a close match against Zimbabwe in their second encounter in Perth.

Shaheen Afridi made his long-awaited comeback to Pakistan cricket in the T20 World Cup 2022 after being out of action since the home Test series against Pakistan after suffering from knee ligaments injury. A lot happened during that time as well, as Shahid Afridi accused the PCB of not helping Shaheen monetarily while he had gone to London for surgery.

Talking about his rehab, Shaheen said: “I was alone [in England where he did the rehab], I struggled for two three months. I have never had such a long injury layoff. Of course, your friends and team-mates back you and appreciate you. My target was to play the World Cup, and thanks to god I could.

For the first two months, I didn’t even walk properly because the swelling would increase. I just went to the gym then. In the last two weeks, I bowled in indoors so that I am somewhat prepared to run on these surfaces. The summer was over so there were no outdoor pitches available so I could only bowl indoors.”

I Am Trying To Get Back To Full Fitness: Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi was expected to repeat his 2021 T20 World Cup performance against India, but he went wicketless for 34 runs as India won by 4 wickets. He also went wicketless against Zimbabwe in Perth for 29 runs and finally picked a wicket against the Netherlands for 19 runs.

There has been some criticism in Pakistan for playing Afridi when not fully fit, but Afridi did say his pace has not been down this World Cup. He also said that he was trying to get back to 100% match fitness.

Talking about his return from injury, Shaheen was quoted by ESPNCricinfo: “It is not easy to come back from such an injury after three months. May god never put anyone through this injury but those who pick up this injury obviously know how difficult it is. I am trying to give my 100%. I think my pace was similar earlier too. The average pace was around 135-140 kph; I am trying to get back to full fitness. Match fitness is different. When you come back after three months, it is difficult to put in full effort [immediately].”

After losing their first two matches and winning one, Pakistan now needs to win all of its remaining matches and pray that India suffers a washout in their remaining two encounters, after the Men in Blue lost to South Africa in Perth, more or less knocking Pakistan out of the T20 World Cup.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Virat Kohli Becomes Second Player To Complete 1,000 Runs In The History Of ICC T20 World Cup