The involvement of the fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in the playoff stage of the Champions Cup is restricted to medical clearance following a knee injury in the recently held game. During the game against Dolphins, a contact of the ball has badly affected Afridi’s movement.
There are indications that he is getting better, believe sources close to the Pakistan team, and he has been under constant observation of team physiotherapist Cliff Deacon. The all-rounder could well be made to undergo a fitness test today during the practice session of the Lions ahead of their eliminator against the Stallions on Wednesday.
The Lions are desperately hoping for a good show in the playoffs and hence are hoping that Afridi gets fit before the match. He is one of the leading bowlers of the team, and his presence in the squad is quite vital. Without him, the dynamics of the team might change as the Lions inch closer to securing their spot in the next round of the competition.
Notably, playoff stage matches of the Champions One-Day Cup start today, where all the teams will fight to show their capabilities and secure a way to the championship. More recently, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 has also been in the news regarding the announcement of the match officials for the event and the growing excitement around it.
While playoff matches await the ardent cricket audience, it would be something to look out for in Afridi’s recovery. There have been chances when he succeeded in coping with the acquiescence of injuries, and this time, too, nerves are targeted at his will. The entire Pakistani cricket fraternity is standing behind him to get well as soon as possible and start his work, right from where he had left it.
Other cricket news, the speculated announcement of the national squad in the upcoming Test series against England this week gains momentum. Speculations run rife over the selection of the players. Meanwhile, the Captain of the English Cricket team Knight faced a tight-lipped warning over that controversial photo, so much talk has been going around in the cricket fraternity.
With more cricketing events taking place, most of the attention is still focused on the performances of the players and the effect of injuries on the teams with their urge to win in the various competitions.
