'Bowling six to eight overs trouble-free for the past ten days' - Shaheen Afridi thanks physios after rehab

Pakistan’s prayers have finally been answered as Shaheen Shah Afridi now seems fully fit to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The speedster has completed his rehabilitation and will soon fly to Australia to join the rest of the squad, that will be coming from New Zealand after their memorable tri-series triumph involving New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Shaheen, who suffered a knee injury and missed the Asia Cup 2022 along with multiple series is currently bowling six to eight overs daily according to him. Before flying to Australia the 22-year-old thanked his physios during one of his toughest times as a professional cricketer.

“Thank you for the help in my rehabilitation. All the best for the rest of the season. Now on to Australia,” Shaheen wrote on Twitter.

Thankyou @sportsdrzaf @olliewaite @FSFindlay1 @sportsphysiojav @DrImtiazAhmad7 @CEO4TAG @CPFC and PCT Physio #Cliff for their help in my rehabilitation. All the best for the rest of the season 🦅
Now on to 🇦🇺✈️ pic.twitter.com/7jo418Fraw

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) October 13, 2022

“I have been bowling six to eight overs trouble-free for the past 10 days with full run-up and pace. While I have enjoyed bowling and batting in the nets, nothing can replace the feel of a match environment and I can’t wait to be in that setting,” the speedster said in a statement.

Fakhar Zaman replaces Usman Qadir in the 15-member squad for T20 World Cup

Despite winning the multi-nation series in New Zealand, Pakistan’s middle order has been poor, to say the least. None of the middle-order batters have stepped up to the challenges and thus, the Pakistan management decided to bring Fakhar Zaman back into the 15-member squad.

Fakhar himself was pretty average in the Asia Cup and thus was dropped from the squad for the T20 World Cup. The 32-year-old played six matches in the tournament and scored 96 runs at a strike rate of 103.22. He was originally drafted as one of the reserves for the tournament but the Babar Azam-led side did not want to leave out his experience and he’ll be replacing Usman Qadir in the team.

The 29-year-old Qadir, who has played 23 T20Is for Pakistan and picked up 29 wickets, will now be a part of the reserves.