Was Shaheen Afridi rushed into India game?

Shaheen, who suffered a knee injury while fielding in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in July, went into the India match after bowling just six overs in two warm up games in Brisbane

The Pakistan Cricket Board and its medical panel is facing numerous questions on whether premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has recovered enough from a knee injury to be match fit for the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Former fast bowling greats, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Lahore Qalanders head coach Aaqib Javed all felt that Shaheen looked short of match fitness and practice while playing against India on Sunday in Melbourne.

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Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis

“This was not the Shaheen that we know. His rhythm was not there and it begs the question, has he been picked in the side too early and is he match fit now for such a big tournament?” Waqar questioned.

Shaheen, who suffered a knee injury while fielding in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle in July, went into the India match after bowling just six overs in two warm up games in Brisbane.

Akram also felt he looked short on match practice. “He didn’t appear to have that zip in his bowling. That’s understandable because any fast bowler returning from a knee injury is concerned at first about going flat out. Let’s see how quickly he gains full match fitness,” said Akram.

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Shaheen, who has been Pakistan’s most lethal bowler in the last two years, went for 25 runs in his last two overs and conceded 19 in his final over as India emerged victorious. 

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