Picture Credit: Twitter
In a huge news ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on October 23, it is now being reported that Shaheen Shah Afridi has been declared fit for the fixture at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While Shaheen missed the Asia Cup 2022 and England T20Is at home due to an injury, PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja has confirmed in a latest interview that the left-arm pacer will play the first match against India.
In an interaction with Dawn News, Raja conveyed the same. However, he added that Usman Qadir has sustained a hairline fracture with Fakhar Zaman on his way to recovery.
"Usman Qadir injured, hair line fracture in finger, we will see what option we have, Fakhar Zaman also getting better, I feel he can be very important, but its a call of team management about him and X1" Raja stated.
Notably, Shaheen had faced some issues with his knee since the Test series against Sri Lanka in July. He was part of the touring contingent before his injury worsened and he went to London for his treatment.
While Raja has deemed Shaheen fit of the World Cup, former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt said that they should not risk playing him if he is not a 100 per cent.
"Even if it is a partial tear, you should not risk Shaheen. World Cups will come and go. Shaheen is not a player of just one World Cup. He can play the next five as well. True fans of Pakistan cricket will also know that Shaheen should be rested if the injury is career-threatening," Butt said while s peaking in a video posted by Paktv.tv on their YouTube channel.
"Shaheen is currently 22. Even if he stays fit till 32, he can play five T20 World Cups, there will be World Test Championships yearly and then there will be two more ODI World Cups after the one next year. We want him to do well so we also need to prolong his career by taking care of him," he added highlighting that the aim of the Pakistan team management should be to prolong the pacer's career.