Ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan`s shortest format skipper, Salman Ali Agha, is hopeful of star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi regaining full fitness before the global event.
Afridi has been a key figure in Pakistan`s pace attack, and his availability could be crucial for the “Green Shirts” in the tournament.
“We are hopeful he will be fit for the World Cup, but the final decision will come from the (Pakistan Cricket) Board on advice from the medical panel,” Salman told the media in Dambulla, where Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I.
Earlier, the pacer sustained an injury while fielding in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Following the injury, he was released by the Brisbane Heat, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) calling him back for rehabilitation.
His recovery is being supervised by the PCB`s medical team at the High Performance Centre in Lahore. The board released a video of him during the rehabilitation, but has yet to provide a date for his return to the action.
This is not the first time that the 25-year-old pacer sustained a knee injury. In 2021, he sustained the same injury while fielding during a Test match in Galle, which kept him out of action for several months.
Further speaking, the skipper also said that the series against Sri Lanka will help his team`s players to acclimatise to the weather and conditions in the country.
“This series will help the players a lot for the World Cup, especially those who haven`t played that much cricket in Sri Lanka,” said the skipper.
Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. The T20 World Cup 2026 will begin from February 7. They have included only one uncapped player, Khawaja Nafay, in their squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka.
The big news is the return of experienced all-rounder, Shadab Khan, to the national side after remaining out of the national side for eight months due to a shoulder surgery.
The national selectors recalled Shadab after he displayed good form in the Big Bash League (BBL) in December.
(With PTI Inputs)
