Pakistan are set to take on South Africa in the first T20I on Wednesday in Dambulla, but they will do so without their premier pacer Shaheen Afridi, who is nursing a knee injury picked up in the Big Bash League. However, in the build-up for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan are optimistic that star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will be fit in time for the global showpiece.
Captain Salman Ali Agha has struck a positive note regarding the left-arm pacer’s recovery from a knee injury, suggesting that the team management remains confident about his availability.
"Shaheen is currently doing rehab at the NCA, and we're really hopeful he will be fine before the T20 World Cup," Salman Agha said at the press conference.
The series is quite significant for Pakistan ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, as it will help them get used to the conditions in Sri Lanka ahead of the World Cup. Notably, Pakistan are scheduled to play all of their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. Heading into the series, Pakistan have been boosted by the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan, who was included in the squad for the Sri Lanka series on the back of an impressive showing in the BBL.