Afridi doubtful starter for Australia T20s – Cricket News Update
Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in Dubai due to a hand injury, Pakistan cricket team manager Colonel Naveed Akram Cheema revealed on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old hard-hitting batsman injured his left thumb while fielding off his own bowling during three-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia in the final ODI, at Sharjah on Monday. The all-rounder split the webbing of his hand and was heavily bandaged as he went on to complete his wicketless 10-over spell.
The team manager revealed that the all-rounder received two stitches for the thumb injury and will be examined on Wednesday before being cleared for opening T20.
"You must have witnessed it yesterday -- http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-c89347 had a thumb injury, where his left thumb was wounded quite badly, the skin tore off and blood was oozing quite profusely," Naveed Akram Cheema, Pakistan cricket team manager, told reporters on Tuesday.
"He's received about two stitches. The doctors intend to examine the intensity of the wound (and) how far can it be healed. We haven't taken a decision yet (on Afridi’s fitness)," he added further.
Afridi, who missed the second ODI against Australia in Abu Dhabi, failed to make an impact in the remaining two games of the series, with both the bat and the ball, scoring 0 and 7 runs and claiming only one wicket.
However, considering his impressive T20 record, his absence could be a huge blow to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, in 2009, which Pakistan finished as champions. Besides, he is also world’s leading wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game, with 58 scalps at an average of 19.67.
In his absence, Pakistan’s fortunes will depend heavily on right-arm off-spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859 and pace bowler Umar Gul, recalled into the side after missing the ODI-leg of the itinerary.
Pakistan’s T20 skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604 is a match-winning bowler; however, he urged the whole team to perform rather than looking up to one particular player.
"Yes, Umar Gul is a match winner and he has done a great job for Pakistan over the years, but everyone has to play their role to win a game and we're not depending on one particular player," said Hafeez.
All the three T20 Internationals between Pakistan and Australia will be hosted by Dubai, on September 5, 7 and 10.
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