In a significant boost for their prospects, Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has provided a positive update on his recovery journey, signaling his readiness for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting February 7, the tournament remains a primary focus for the 25-year-old pacer, whose presence is vital to Pakistan’s bowling spearhead.
Positive Medical Outlook for Shaheen Afridi
The left-arm speedster had recently faced a setback after sustaining a knee injury during his maiden stint with the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL). The injury forced him to withdraw from the league prematurely and return to Pakistan for specialized rehabilitation at the High Performance Centre in Lahore.
Despite initial fears that the injury might be a recurrence of the severe ligament issues he faced in late 2022, Afridi has clarified that the current situation is far less daunting. He noted that the injury involves minor swelling on the bone rather than major structural damage. While his MRI results were reassuring, his recovery timeline has been accelerated. Afridi shared that his rehabilitation is being closely monitored by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical staff, and he expects to return to bowling drills as early as next week. He expressed confidence that the recovery would take closer to a week rather than a month, which places him firmly on track for the World Cup opener.
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Building Momentum for the World Cup
The news of Afridi’s recovery comes at a critical juncture as Pakistan aims to rectify their performance from the previous edition of the tournament, where they were eliminated in the group stages. Having last won the T20 World Cup title 16 years ago in England, the team is under pressure to deliver a performance reminiscent of their 2022 runner-up finish.
Currently, the Pakistan squad is gaining valuable experience through a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka. While Afridi was not named in the squad for this specific series to allow him time to heal, he emphasized the importance of playing in the host nations ahead of major tournaments. He believes that adapting to the conditions in Sri Lanka and India will be a deciding factor for the team. According to the pacer, the focus remains on learning from past mistakes and refining all facets of the game, including batting and bowling, rather than chasing individual milestones like five-wicket hauls in every match.
Path Forward and Tournament Logistics
As the tournament approaches, the PCB maintains the flexibility to adjust the squad without ICC approval until January 31. This window allows the management to evaluate the fitness of key players and the performance of those currently competing in Sri Lanka. Shaheen’s return to full fitness would allow him to lead a pace attack that has shown flashes of brilliance but requires his leadership to find consistency.
Pakistan is placed in Group A, a challenging bracket that includes rivals India, along with Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. They are scheduled to launch their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo. With Afridi likely back in the mix, the team’s bowling unit looks significantly more formidable. His experience of 126 wickets in 96 T20I matches makes him the second-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in this format, underscoring why his recovery is viewed as a major turning point for the nation’s title ambitions.
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