KARACHI: Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is in doubt for next month's three-match Test series against England after doctors advised at least two weeks of rehab on a knee injury sustained in Sunday's T20 World Cup final.
The 22-year-old left-arm pacer quick hurt himself while taking a catch against England in Melbourne and was unable to complete his four overs as his side lost by five wickets.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said a scan on Afridi's right knee showed no signs of injury, and his discomfort was likely due to "flexion" as he fell after dismissing Harry Brook in the deep.
"Shaheen will undergo a rehabilitation and conditioning programme that has been designed to strengthen his knee," the PCB said in a statement, adding that the process would take at least two weeks.
"Shaheen's return to international cricket will be subject to the champion fast bowler's successful completion of the rehabilitation programme and the following go-ahead by the medical staff," it said.
Shaheen, who hadn't played for months before the T20 World Cup after injuring the same right knee earlier in the year, will need time to return to match fitness before tackling the rigours of Test cricket.
The first Test between Pakistan and England starts in Rawalpindi on December 1, followed by Tests in Multan (December 9-13) and Karachi (17-21).
Shaheen has been Pakistan's premier bowler in all three formats for the last three years, taking 99 Test, 66 ODI and 58 T20 wickets.
Former Pakistan skipper surpasses India's Virat Kohli with four more runs
Mohsin Naqvi urges India to share its concerns if it has any over sending its team to Pakistan
PCB says will initiate recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach
Pakistan suffer seven-wicket defeat in final T20I
Refutes media report claiming Gillespie to be replaced by selection committee's convenor Aqib Javed
After the fight, Jones celebrates with US President-elect Donald Trump, shakes hands
