Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, sustained a knee injury just two weeks before the first Test of the three-match series against England.
The injury occurred during a Champions One-Day Cup 2024 match on September 22, where Afridi’s Lions faced the Dolphins. Chasing a target of 327, the Lions fell short by 16 runs.
Afridi, hit on the left knee by a delivery from Faheem Ashraf, retired hurt but returned later, battling through pain to nearly pull off an upset with Khushdil Shah. Despite their valiant effort, the Lions couldn’t clinch the victory.
Afridi’s recent form has been inconsistent. He took five wickets in four matches during the T20 World Cup, where Pakistan didn’t progress beyond the league stage, and managed only two wickets in the first Test against Bangladesh before being dropped for the second Test.
With the upcoming Test series against England starting on October 7, Afridi’s participation is now in doubt due to the injury. The series will be held at Multan and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadiums, with the first Test kicking off in Multan.