LAHORE: Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been cleared of serious damage to his knee after his dramatic breakdown during the Twenty20 World Cup final.
The pace spearhead hurt his knee when taking an outfield catch in the defeat to England in Melbourne on Sunday and was unable to bowl out his four overs.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said a scan on Monday had confirmed there was no signs of injury and Afridi’s discomfort was likely “due to a forced knee flexion”.
However, it appears unlikely that Afridi will be available for the home Tests against England and New Zealand through December and January.
The PCB said his “return to international cricket will be subject to the champion fast bowler’s successful completion of the rehabilitation programme and following go-aheads by the medical staff.”
Medical staff had advised a two-week rehabilitation.
Afridi injured the same knee in Sri Lanka in July and was ruled out of the Asia Cup and the home T20 series against England before rejoining the squad for the World Cup in Australia.
New Zealand tour Pakistan in December and January for a two-Test series and three ODI matches.
