Xtra Time Web Desk: Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Friday shared an update of pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi’s availability for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 in UAE. According to Babar, Shaheen will travel to Netherlands with the team accompanied by two doctors who will monitor his rehab.
According to the Pakistan captain Shaheen still hasn’t recovered from a knee injury. Babar is expecting Shaheen to play at least the third ODI against Netherlands ahead of travelling to UAE before the marquee clash against India in Asia Cup on August 28.
“We are taking a couple of doctors on the way to take care of Shaheen”, Babar said at a press conference. “He still needs rest, still needs some time to recover fully from the injury. We are looking long term at his fitness and health. We will rest him for Netherlands ODI’s so that he get recovered before Asia Cup”, said Babar at the pre-departure press conference before leaving for Netherlands.
Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup tournament against their arch-rivals India. Babar Azam plans to unleash a fresh and rested Shaheen Shah Afridi to wreak havoc on the Indian batting line-up. He admits, it will be a big pressure match.
“We always try to play it like a normal match, but yes, there is definitely different pressure [on us],” the Pakistan skipper added.