Pakistan dealt a massive blow ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the star left-arm pacer, Shaheen Afridi, has been ruled out of the Asia Cup and the upcoming T20 home series against England due to a knee injury.
The pacer will be out of action for the next 4-6 weeks and will be undergoing rehabilitation. But this is a huge setback for the Men in Green, as the 22-year-old was the leader of the bowling attack and is the most experienced bowler in the team.
But now, they are left with few choices. Notably, Pakistan will play against India in their opening encounter of the tournament on August 28, Sunday at Dubai Cricket Stadium. And without the services of Shaheen Afridi, the Pakistani bowling attack will be very inexperienced.
However, now the PCB has announced the replacement for the pacer. On Monday, the PCB confirmed that Mohammad Hasnain would join the team as a replacement for the 22-year-old. Hasnain is currently playing in “The Hundred” competition for Oval Invincibles.
In a press release, the PCB officials confirmed that the replacement. An official further confirmed, “Meanwhile, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir will leave for Dubai in the wee hours of Tuesday. They will replace Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood, who were part of the 16-member ODI squad against the Netherlands.”
Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan Squad for the Asia Cup
Hasnain has played 18 T20Is for Pakistan so far and has 17 wickets to his name. He will travel directly to the UAE from the United Kingdom, where he is playing in the “Hundred”. Notably, Shaheen suffered the knee injury during the first Test match against Sri Lanka last month.
He missed the second test and the Netherlands tour as well. However, he is expected to make his comeback in the tri-series in New Zealand in October. So it will be interesting to see how the Pakistan will manage the absence of the 22-year-old.
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Usman Qadir.
When will India and Pakistan will play in the Asia Cup 2022?
Pakistan will play against India in their opening encounter of the tournament on August 28, Sundar at Dubai Cricket Stadium.
Why has Shaheen Afridi been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022?
Shaheen suffered the knee injury during the first Test match against Sri Lanka last month, which has resulted him to miss the upcoming tournament.
Who will replace Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022?
The PCB has announced the replacement for the pacer. On Monday, the PCB confirmed that Mohammad Hasnain would join the team as a replacement for Shaheen Afridi. Hasnain is currently playing in “The Hundred” competition for Oval Invincibles.