Sports

Asia Cup 2022: Watch Rashid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi exchange greetings in Dubai

August 24, 2022
Bharat Times

The two-time champions Pakistan suffered a massive blow ahead of their Asia Cup campaign as the fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury.

Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of Asia Cup. (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mohammad Hasnain has replaced injured Shaheen Afridi in Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup
  • Afghanistan will take on Sri Lanka in their opening match of Asia Cup on August 27
  • Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign against India on August 28 in Dubai

Pakistan and Afghanistan cricketers exchanged greetings in Dubai ahead of the forthcoming Asia Cup, beginning August 27.

The Asia Cup, which returns after four years, will be played in the T20I format. The marquee event was moved out of Sri Lanka following the economic crisis in the island nation. However, Sri Lanka Cricket retained the hosting rights in the UAE.

In a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nabi can be seen having some off-field banter after their arrival for the tournament.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan players exchange greetings in Dubai ahead of the #AsiaCup2022,” PCB tweeted alongside the video.

The two-time champions Pakistan suffered a massive blow ahead of their Asia Cup campaign as the fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. The 22-year-old suffered a right knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Shaheen will also miss the home T20I series against England, but is expected to return to competitive cricket in October with the New Zealand tri-series, which will be followed by the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Shaheen was replaced by fellow pacer Mohammad Hasnain.

The 22-year-old Hasnain has represented Pakistan in 18 T20Is, in which he has taken 17 wickets. On August 22, the Pakistan Cricket Board said that Hasnain would join the team from the UK, where he was playing for the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred competition.

The Pakistan Cricket Board on August 24 added former English first-class cricketer Umer Rashid to the team as assistant to the fast bowling coach on the recommendation of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq. Pakistan will take on India in their opening match at the Asia Cup on August 28 in Dubai.

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