Abbas Afridi Ruled Out Of 3rd T20I vs New Zealand Due To Injury

image-lrfx61twAbbas Afridi made an encouraging debut in Auckland [X.com]

Pakistan fast-bowler Abbas Afridi has been sidelined from the third T20I of the ongoing five-match series against New Zealand due to a muscle strain. The young pacer, who played the first two matches in Auckland and Hamilton, will skip the game scheduled in Dunedin on Wednesday (January 17). 

In a media release issued on Tuesday afternoon, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed following discussions with the management and the medical staff that Afridi has developed discomfort from a low-grade abdominal wall muscle strain.

The abdominal strain, however, is not significant and will be managed symptomatically by the physios and medical team that has travelled with the side to New Zealand. 


Abbas Afridi Out With Injury 

"Right-arm pacer Abbas Afridi has been ruled out of the third T20I against New Zealand due to discomfort from a low grade abdominal wall muscle strain," the PCB said. 

"His scan has shown no sign of significant injury, and he will be managed symptomatically."

A final decision on Afridi's involvement for the final two T20Is of the trip in Christchurch will be taken in due course. Still, Pakistan are set to miss their promising seamer for the must-win game at the University Oval in Dunedin. 

Afridi was one of Pakistan's sole bright spots for the consecutive defeats in the first two matches, where he made an encouraging debut at Eden Park in Auckland and bagged figures of 3 for 34. The young pacer also took two wickets for 43 runs off his four overs at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. 

In the absence of the 22-year-old, Pakistan would consider a direct pace swap in the playing XI for the third T20I as one of Mohammad Wasim Jr and Zaman Khan look set to play their first game of the trip.