IND vs PAK: Shaheen Afridi Is 90 Percent Ready For India's T20 World Cup Match Against Pakistan: PCB Chief Ramiz Raja

Updated - 14 Oct 2022, 01:33 PM

Ramiz Raja
Ramiz Raja Image Credits: Twitter

Ramiz Raja, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claimed that pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi is 90% prepared for the tense match against India at the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Shaheen’s availability will depend on how he performs in the two practice matches in Australia, Ramiz acknowledged.

After finishing his knee injury rehabilitation program under the guidance of the PCB Medical Advisory Committee, Shaheen Afridi is likely to travel with the Pakistani team to Australia on Saturday.

Shaheen-afridi. PC- Twitter
Shaheen-afridi. PC- Twitter

Winners of the first edition On Sunday (October 23), India will open its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign against archrivals Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground. For the first time in their history of World Cup matches, Pakistan defeated India by a 10-wicket margin in last year’s tournament. The Men in Green will be hoping for similar success this year.

Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan Pic Credits: Twitter

Their batsmen must put on a strong performance, and then the bowlers must restrict the Indian batters, who are flying high with their modified approach of going for an attack from the first ball itself, if they want to repeat the trick they used to defeat India in the Asia Cup T20 tournament last month in the United Arab Emirates.

Shaheen Afridi is 90 percent ready: Ramiz Raja

Shaheen Afridi recently traveled from England, where he was receiving medical treatment for his injury, to Australia. When asked about the pacer’s fitness and affordability for the forthcoming T20 World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ramiz Raja responded that the youngster, who won the ICC Player of the Year award in 2021, is 90% ready for the event and that his availability will depend on how he performs in the two warm-up games against England and Afghanistan on October 17 and 19, respectively.

“I have spoken to him. We are in touch with his doctors and the feedback we have got is that Shaheen Afridi is 90 percent ready,” Raja was quoted as saying by PTI.

Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi
Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Credits: Twitter

“But knee injuries can be delicate and technical, and we have to see if he feels any soreness after playing the warm-up games. On his part, he says he is ready and I think we are also ready” 

Speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi was on fire in Pakistan’s last T20 World Cup match against India, taking three wickets for just 31 runs in his four-over spell. The left-arm pacer set the tone for his team by dismissing India’s top three batsmen, Rohit Sharma (0), KL Rahul (three), and Virat Kohli (57).

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Asif Ali Limps Out With An Injury, Giving Pakistan Cause For Concern

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ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Pakistan national cricket team Ramiz Raja Shaheen Afridi