The Pakistani pacer's recovery is going to be a long haul
Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has been advised a two-week rehabilitation period after he hurt his knee during the T20 World Cup final against England in Melbourne.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that the pacer is unlikely to be available for the Test series against England and New Zealand through December-January after he injured his right knee during his side's ICC T20 World Cup final against England on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was forced to leave the field after he hurt his right knee again while taking a catch of English batter Harry Brook in the 13th over of England's chase.
"Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been advised two weeks of rehabilitation after he landed awkwardly while taking Harry Brook's catch during Sunday's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 final in Melbourne," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
"The scan conducted on Monday morning prior to the team's departure for Pakistan has confirmed there were no signs of an injury and the knee discomfort was likely 'due to a forced knee flexion whilst landing'," Afridi had earlier suffered a ligament injury in his right knee in July during a Test match against Sri Lanka but had managed to make it to the team for the T20 showpiece. On Sunday, Afridi returned to the field and tried to bowl the 16th over but couldn't complete it.
"The scans were discussed between PCB's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro, and Australian knee specialist, Dr Peter D'Alessandro, and it was reassuring to know that there was no injury. The left-arm fast bowler is feeling better and is in high spirits,"
"Shaheen will undergo a rehabilitation and conditioning programme that has been designed to strengthen his knee at the National High-Performance Centre a few days after his return to Pakistan,"
Afridi, who took 11 wickets in seven matches during the T20 World Cup, is likely to miss the home Test series against England and New Zealand in December-January.
"Shaheen's return to international cricket will be subject to the champion fast bowler's successful completion of the rehabilitation programme and the following go-ahead by the medical staff," the PCB said.
Afridi's injury was an important moment in the final as Iftikhar Ahmed, who completed his over, conceded a four and a six as England chased the target down with six balls to spare.
Afridi was in any case, expected to sit on the bench during the England Test series starting next month. That was a part of his gradual return from the original knee injury he had suffered during a series against Sri Lanka in July.
Shaheen completed his rehab in time for the T20 World Cup and became a part of Pakistan's squad for the tournament. While he struggled during the first two matches, he started to regain his rhythm later and played a vital role in his side's journey to the final.
With a total of 11 wickets, he was Pakistan's joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
The injury resurfaced during the 13th over of England's chase while he took a running catch to dismiss batter Harry Brook. He was helped off the field by the physio and doctor. Shaheen returned and tried to bowl the remainder of his spell, but could not carry on after bowling one ball. He could bowl only 2.1 overs out of his four overs.
His right knee is currently believed to be in a brace. Shaheen will fly back home via Mumbai with the rest of the side on Monday.
Pacer Haris Rauf could get his shot in red-ball cricket for the first time as the replacement of the pace spearhead.
PCB's handling of his injury has faced immense criticism. After the series against Sri Lanka, he travelled with the side to the Netherlands in hopes of a quick recovery, but the swelling worsened and he was announced to be out of action for four to six weeks.
He also travelled to UAE for the Asia Cup and another attempt was made to get his rehab going. But the medical scans confirmed an injury in his posterior cruciate ligament.
It was then decided that he would travel to the UK for further rehab and work with doctors on the PCB Medical panel. This caused him to miss the Asia Cup and the seven-match T20I series against England at home in September.
