T20 World Cup: Pakistan Team In Trouble Ahead Of Ind, Pak Clash, These Star Players Got Injured
Pakistan would be delighted with its middle-order stepping ahead of the ICC tournament, but it also dealt with a major blow as its prolific batter Asif Ali was seen limping and had to walk out of the field.
Asif Ali’s Injury May Worsen Pakistan’s Middle Order Crisis
Injury concerns rise for the Pakistan team just before the T20I World Cup as their middle-order batter, Asif Ali, was seen limping in the New Zealand Tri-series final.
Ali’s injury surfaced when the New Zealand left-handed batter Devon Conway had hit Mohammad Wasim Jr. through the cover point region and Ali tried to chase the ball down to the boundary. However, Ali’s efforts went in vain as the ball raced away to the boundary and Conway bagged a four.
However, the point of worry for the Pakistan team was Ali’s injury. While trying to stop the ball, he pulled off a dive and in that effort, his knee got stuck on the ground. He was seen in pain and resultantly the physio came out to check on Ali. At the end, Ali had to walk out of the park.
Ali was ultimately forced to leave the area on foot. The first match between Pakistan and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is in less than 10 days, so if Ali doesn’t get fit by then, Pakistan may have problems in important games.
In the T20 format, Ali has been a crucial component of Pakistan’s middle-order batting.
Cricket analysts have frequently noted that Pakistan’s middle order is having problems, and if Ali is ruled out, that issue might grow worse.
Fakhar Zaman replaces injured Usman Qadir in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad
Qadir suffered the injury during the fourth T20I against England in Karachi on September 25, and a PCB statement said that he would not be available for selection till October 22, after which Pakistan can bring him back into their main squad as an injury replacement.
Shaheen and Fakhar Provide Update On His Recovery
Fakhar and Shaheen Shah Afridi had both been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for knee injuries, and as reported by ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday, will link up with the World Cup squad in Brisbane on Saturday. They will both be available for Pakistan’s official warm-up games, against England on October 17 and against Afghanistan on October 19.
Shaheen Shah Afridi just recovered from the knee injury he suffered earlier this year in Sri Lanka, helping Pakistan avoid a serious injury worry prior to the World Cup.
Afridi had been unable to participate in a few bilateral series as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosting of the Asia Cup in 2022. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared the left-arm pacer to be operational.
Yesterday, October 13, Afridi, himself tweeted a picture with the physio team thanking them for their constant support and help in rehabilitation. Further, he updated that he will be soon joining the team as in Australia.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood
Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir