IND vs PAK: 3 Reasons Why Shaheen Shah Afridi Is Destined To Fail In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022

IND vs PAK: 3 Reasons Why Shaheen Shah Afridi Is Destined To Fail In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Pakistan had suffered a huge injury blow ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 as their pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the competition due to a ligament injury in his knee.

Shaheen Shah Afridi joined the national squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 in Brisbane as per schedule after undergoing his rehabilitation program under the supervision of the PCB Medical Advisory Committee, PCB confirmed.

The PCB also said that the left-arm pacer, who has been out of action since before the Asia Cup 2022 tournament due to a knee injury, will be available for selection for the warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan, where the team management will assess his fitness. He is currently playing the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 warm-up game against England. In 2 overs, he has conceded 7 runs but is wicketless so far.

The last time the two teams India and Pakistan met at the 2021 T20I World Cup, Pakistan had beaten India by 10 wickets in their Super 12 match in Dubai to register their first-ever win against their neighbours in World Cups. Babar Azam hit an unbeaten 68, while Mohammad Rizwan smashed an unbeaten 79. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a terrific spell of 3/31 with three prized scalps of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli.

IND vs PAK: 3 Reasons Why Shaheen Shah Afridi Is Destined To Fail In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022

1. Coming Back After A Long Injury Lay-off

Even though Shaheen Shah Afridi is a part of the Pakistan squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, his fitness is still a matter of concern. The 22-year-old suffered an injury to his right knee ligament and was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 and 7 T20I series against England at Pakistan besides the Tri-Series involving Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

He is expected to regain full fitness and make his return for the global tournament after a long injury layoff. He last played in T20Is in April 2022 against Australia in Pakistan.

2. No Experience Of Playing In Australia In T20Is

The premier pacer is the face of Pakistan’s bowling line-up and given the conditions in Australia, Shaheen Shah Afridi can cause a lot of damage. But he hasn’t played in Australia in T20Is. The Pakistan ace pacer is gearing up for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.

The pacer had sustained an injury and thus missed the 2022 Asia Cup before also missing out on the seven-match home T20I series against England his side won 4-3. His last appearance for Pakistan came in July this year against Sri Lanka in Tests but his presence in the T20 mega event will definitely boost the morale of the team.

3. Pakistan Is Overdependent On Strike Bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi In ICC 2022 T20 World Cup

Pakistan is over-dependent on star batter Mohammad Rizwan, skipper Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen Shah Afridi missed the Asia Cup 2022 and England T20Is at home. He was not a part of the ongoing New Zealand T20I tri-series that involves Bangladesh as well.

Although Pakistan already possesses a great pace attack, in form of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain and Mohammad Wasim Jnr., they will rely on Shaheen Shah Afridi.