Shaheen Afridi resumes rehabilitation in Karachi

Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose last appearance was in November 13, 2022, is all set to resume his rehabilitation under the watchful eye of the current management in Karachi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insisted that top-notch care would be provided to the left-arm pacer, who aims to mark his return by the start of the 2023 edition of Pakistan Super League. 

The left-arm pacer had a slow start to the T20 World Cup, against India before springing to life later in the tournament in the lead-up to the final, with 11 wickets in seven innings. However, it was in the final when the 22-year-old injured himself while taking a catch. Whilst he did attempt to bowl his third over, he had to walk off after just one delivery in Melbourne. 

"Shaheen will resume his rehabilitation under the national men's team's medical staff in Karachi from today. While providing Shaheen top-notch care, this move will allow the medical staff to track his progression and pave way for his smooth return to action,” read a statement from PCB. 

Concerns regarding injuries don’t stop there for Pakistan, with the board having invited Haris Rauf to assess his fitness after the pacer was named in the 24-man list probables for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. 

"The interim selection committee and team management have invited [Rauf] to be assessed by the team's medical staff so a decision on his availability for the three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand - to be played next week - can be made," the PCB said.

However, no update on Fakhar Zaman has been provided by the PCB, with the left-handed batter being plagued by an injury since the T20 World Cup event in Australia.