Shaheen Afridi Focuses on Recovery Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Afridi's Road to Recovery
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 8: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's prominent fast bowler, has announced that he is diligently working on his fitness as he prepares for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka starting February 7, as reported by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The 25-year-old pacer shared that his rehabilitation is progressing positively under the supervision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Currently recovering from a knee injury, Afridi is optimistic about returning in time for the prestigious tournament.
Afridi stated, "My rehab is ongoing, with the PCB team monitoring it closely." He added, "I’m focusing on gym workouts and improving my batting skills. I plan to start bowling next week."
He also reassured fans that his current injury is less severe than his previous one, expressing hope for a quicker recovery. "It’s not as serious as it was last time. There’s some swelling on the bone, but the MRI results were not alarming. This recovery might take about a week rather than a month," he explained.
The left-arm bowler emphasized the team's commitment to enhancing their overall performance in preparation for the T20 World Cup. "In any sport, there are ups and downs," Afridi remarked. "Our goal is to learn from every experience to improve when representing our country, identifying errors to correct and strengths to maintain."
He stressed that personal achievements are secondary to the team's collective growth and consistency. "It’s not essential to take five wickets or score a fifty in every match. Everyone is striving to improve," he noted.
Currently, Pakistan is on a tour of Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series, which serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming global event. The team secured a six-wicket victory in the first T20I, leading the series 1-0.
Reflecting on the team's recent performances, Afridi stated that Pakistan has showcased quality cricket over the past year and highlighted the significance of overseas preparation. "We’ve played a lot of good cricket recently," he said. "Playing matches in a country before a tournament is beneficial for the players, and I hope it proves helpful this time as well."
In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. The Men in Green will kick off their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo.