Srinagar: Pakistan all format skipper and star batsman Babar Azam has said that the injury to premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is chance for other fast bowlers to step up.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the Asia Cup, as well as the seven-match T20I series at home against England in September, because of a knee injury and he faces a race against time to be fit for the T20 World Cup, starting October, after being advised “four-six weeks rest” by the PCB’s medical advisory committee.
Meanwhile Babar Azam has said that Pakistan will miss Shaheen Afridi in Asia cup.
“We will miss Shaheen Shah Afridi in Asia cup but it is an opportunity for other fast bowlers at the same time,” Babar was quoted as saying.
Afridi had sustained the right knee ligament injury during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month, and has played no part in the ongoing tour of the Netherlands despite being in the squad.
Babar Azam said before the series that Afridi would play no more than one ODI against Netherlands, with a view to having him fit for the Asia Cup, which begins on August 27.