SHAHEEN INJURY BIG BLOW FOR PAKISTAN ,ASIA CUP UPDATE

'Shaheen Afridi's injury is..' Waqar Younis takes DIG at India ahead of IND vs PAK Asia Cup clash, fans give fitting reply

Pakistan’s Asia Cup hopes suffered a big blow when pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the tournament after being advised rest for 4-6 weeks on the basis of the latest scans and reports. The left-arm speedster will also not take part in the home series against England but might return to the field in October with the New Zealand T20I tri-series, followed by the T20 World Cup in Australia.

While playing the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Shaheen had a right knee ligament injury while fielding.

PCB Chief Medical Officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro said, “I have spoken with Shaheen and he is understandably upset with the news, but he is brave young man who has vowed to come back strongly to serve his country and team. Although he has made progress during his rehabilitation in Rotterdam, it is now clear he will require more time and is likely to return to competitive cricket in October.

The talks have started in Pakistan cricket over who could replace Shaheen in the squad. Former Pakistan pacer and coach Waqar Younis feels that absence of Shaheen due to his injury will come as a big relief for the Indian top-order batters. Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are supposed to be India's top 3. Last year at T20 World Cup, Shaheen has dismissed Rohit and Rahul in similar fashion in just his opening spell. Pakistan fans feel that he could have done the same this year also as India's right-handed batters at the top have problems facing quality left-arm swing bowling. 

Younis wrote on his Twitter: "Shaheen’s injury Big relief for the Indian top order batsmen. Sad we won’t be seeing him in #AsiaCup2022 Get fit soon Champ @iShaheenAfridi."

But his comments did not go down well with the Indian fans who slammed him for making an 'immature' comment, arguing that Indians have now chalked out a plan for Shaheen. Some of the India fans reminded Younis about the Mathew Wade over in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup when the Aussie smashed him all over the park to take his side to victory and knock Pakistan out of tournament while others suggested to postpone Asia Cup so that Shaheen could be fit and playing for Pakistan vs India.