Fans trigger memefest on Twitter after Shaheen Afridi gets ruled out of Asia Cup 2022

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed that star pacer Shaheen Afridi is advised to rest for four to six more weeks by medical time which rules him out of the upcoming 2022 Asia Cup tournament. This comes as a big blow for Pakistan which are scheduled to face champions India in their opening clash on August 28. Pakistan are engaged with the Netherlands in ODI series, in their final preparation before traveling to UAE.

The 22-year-old left-arm pacer suffered a knee injury on the Sri Lanka tour last month but was included in the three-match ODI tour to the Netherlands. Pakistani captain Babar Azam gave a positive update on the player’s recovery before the start of the first match and also stated that the pacer will play one match as well. He didn’t appear in the first two matches and fans were expected to see him in the third match on Sunday.

“I have spoken with Shaheen and he is understandably upset with the news, but he is a brave young man who has vowed to come back strongly to serve his country and team. Although he has made progress during his rehabilitation in Rotterdam, it is now clear he will require more time and is likely to return to competitive cricket in October. PCB’s Sports & Exercise Medicine Department will be working closely with the player over the coming weeks to ensure his safe return to competitive cricket,” a PCB official said in a statement.

Shaheen bowled a match-winning spell when Pakistan last met India in the 2022 World Cup in UAE. He took three big wickets of Indian top order Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma. With Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah missing the tournament, Pakistan fans have been optimistic before the India clash. But now fans have taken social media to describe their feelings.

Here are top Twitter reactions on Shaheen Afridi ruled out of 2022 Asia Cup: