By Admin 
Shaheen Shah Afridi, considered the backbone of Pakistan’s fast bowling attack, has returned to the nets after recovering from injury. His return has brought a big relief to Pakistan’s upcoming T20 World Cup campaign. According to media reports, the team’s medical panel is confident that Shaheen will be fully fit and in his best form by next week.
According to the report, Shaheen Afridi bowled with full run-up for 15 minutes in the nets on Thursday and batted for the same amount of time. During this time he did not feel any kind of discomfort. Earlier, it was feared that he might be out of the T20 World Cup due to an injury suffered during the Big Bash League (BBL).
According to the report of Telecom Asia Sport, sources associated with the medical panel of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said, “Shaheen bowled for 15 minutes with full run-up and did not face any problem. This is a very positive sign for Pakistan, because he is an important part of the bowling attack in the World Cup.”
Earlier, there was a fear of re-emergence of his old knee injury. This injury became the reason for his absence in many important matches for Pakistan in 2022, especially in the T20 World Cup final against England.
According to sources, “His rehab has been completed and he is now bowling. This means he can play in the three-match series against Australia later this month, but the team management does not want to put him at risk before leaving for Sri Lanka.”
Pakistan’s new medical panel chief Dr Javed Mughal supervised Shaheen’s rehab and expressed satisfaction over his fitness progress. The medical team has advised the fast bowler to adopt some precautionary measures.
The report said that the medical panel has recommended Shaheen to bowl for 15 to 25 minutes initially and then gradually increase the duration. It has also been suggested that he should be rested in the series against Australia and used in practice matches before the World Cup.
25-year-old Shaheen Afridi suffered a left knee injury while playing for Brisbane Heat during the Big Bash League. His first BBL season was not very successful, where he took only two wickets in four matches and averaged 76.5 per wicket. Apart from this, he was also suspended from bowling for bowling two beamers in the first match against Perth Scorchers.
The MRI scan conducted in Brisbane did not reveal any serious injury, but despite this, as a precautionary measure, the PCB recalled Shaheen from the Big Bash League and sent him to Lahore.