Babar Azam Opens Up on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Fitness Issues
Shaheen has been Pakistan's go to bowler
Pakistan all-format skipper Babar Azam has indicated that frontline pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will be rested for a couple of matches during the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Netherlands.
Injury scare for Shaheen
Shaheen Shah Afridi has a bit of an injury scare and given he is Pakistan's leader of the pace attack, Babar is keen on having him fully fit before the all-important upcoming Asia Cup. The 22-year-old picked up a knee injury during the recently concluded two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation, and his fitness is critical ahead of a very busy season.
His fitness is a concern for the Pakistan side
Earlier this month, it was expected that the selection committee would rest him, but later confirmed that Shaheen will be part of the Pakistan squad for the Netherlands series.
Babar hints at dropping Shaheen for two games versus Netherlands
"Shaheen (Shah Afridi) has a bit of fitness issue, the doctor and physio are going with us on the tour of the Netherlands so he will be well looked after. We are trying to get him ready soon and hoping he will gain full fitness before the Asia Cup.
We will try that he plays one match against the Netherlands as well," Babar Azam told the reporters in a pre-departure press conference as the team head to the Netherlands.
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan team will fly to Amsterdam in the early hours of Friday, August 12 where they will lock horns with the Netherlands in the three-match ODI series scheduled from August 16 to 21.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
