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Is Shaheen Afridi Injured? Here's Why The Pacer Didn't Play First Warm-Up Match Vs NZ

image-ln5q8k3rShaheen Afridi was rested in the 1st Warm-up game vs New Zealand [X.com]

On Friday, Pakistan had a disastrous start to their 2023 World Cup campaign, incurring a heavy five-wicket defeat in their first Warm-up game against New Zealand in Hyderabad. Batting first, Pakistan posted a massive total of 346 runs on the board. However, the BlackCaps chased the total successfully, as the Pakistani bowlers had an off day on Hyderabad's batting-friendly surface. 

While the likes of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Naseem Shah went for plenty of runs, ace speedster Shaheen Afridi didn't participate in this face-off. Hailed for his ability to make the new ball talk, Afridi sat out in the dugout through game, raising questions over his form and fitness. 

However, fortunately for Pakistan, the fast bowler is fit and fine, as we haven't got any update regarding his injury so far. He also sweated it out in the nets before the first warm-up game against New Zealand in Hyderabad. 

But as it seems, Pakistan's team management doesn't want to take any risk and exhaust him by playing in all matches. Notably, the speedster recovered from a career-threatening injury just before the T20 World Cup last year and took considerable time to regain his mojo. 

So, considering Naseem Shah has been ruled out, Pakistan adopted a cautious approach by benching Afridi, who is expected to return to the field with all guns blazing in the second warm-up game against Australia.