LAHORE: Pakistan have been handed a major boost ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia with pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi fit and available to join the team for warm-up games against England and Afghanistan, , three months after injuring his right knee.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining a ligament injury to his knee during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in July and was forced to miss the Asia Cup (August-September) and the following seven-match T20I home series against England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Tuesday that Shaheen has completed his rehab in UK.

“Shaheen will join the national squad for the ICC men’s T20 World Cup in Brisbane as per schedule on 15 October, after undergoing rehab,” the PCB said in a statement.

“Shaheen is now available for selection for the 17 and 19 October warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan, respectively during which his match fitness will be assessed by the team management.”

Pakistan had included Shaheen in the 15-man squad for the World Cup subject to fitness.

The lanky left-arm pacer, who has picked up 47 wickets in 40 T20s, is key to Pakistan’s set-up, with his ability to bowl at high speeds and generate bounce likely to come in handy on Australian pitches.

“I am super excited at the prospect of rejoining the national side for the T20 World Cup and playing my part in our Australia campaign ... it has been a difficult period for me to be miles away from the game and the team I love the most,” said Shaheen. “I have been bowling six to eight overs trouble-free for the past 10 days with full run-up and pace.”

Reserve top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman, who has been out with a knee injury, will also travel to Brisbane with Shaheen.

“Fakhar, who is one of the three travelling reserves for the T20 World Cup, will also travel to Brisbane with Shaheen and will complete his rehabilitation.”

Pakistan, T20 World Cup winners in 2009, have until October 15 to make any changes in their squad for the World Cup.

Pakistan are placed in Group 2 of the World Cup alongside India, Bangladesh, South Africa and two qualifier teams.

They open their campaign with a sell-out game against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Oct 23.

Defending champions Australia, England, New Zealand, Afghanistan and two qualifier teams are placed in Group 1.

The first round of World Cup starts from October 16.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2022