In a thrilling two-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka Cricket Board XI, Shaheen Shah Afridi marks his return to Test cricket with an impressive performance. Taking three wickets in the first innings and one in the second, Afridi proves his form and readiness for the upcoming Test series. Speaking about his return, he expresses excitement and shares his aspirations of reaching the milestone of 100 Test wickets.
The road to recovery has been a gradual process for Afridi, who suffered a knee injury during the first Test against Sri Lanka last year. Since then, he has focused on rehabilitation, making a successful comeback in limited-overs cricket before preparing himself for the challenges of red-ball cricket. The Karachi camp and his stint with Nottinghamshire have provided valuable opportunities to fine-tune his skills and adjust to the demands of Test cricket.
.@iShaheenAfridi took three wickets on his return to red-ball cricket as Pakistan dismissed SLC Board XI for 196 in 46.3 overs on the opening day of the two-day practice match
Match report ➡️ https://t.co/1juXHgx2aM#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/nHTquzC5Zg
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 11, 2023
Looking ahead to the World Test Championship, Afridi highlights the significance of representing Pakistan in any format. With just one wicket away from recording a century of Test wickets, he embraces the excitement and the opportunity to join the esteemed list of Pakistan’s pace bowling legends. Despite the long wait, Afridi has remained focused and determined to perform at his best across all formats.
In addition to his bowling prowess, Afridi has shown an added dimension to his game by developing his batting skills during his rehabilitation period. Notably, his match-winning 44 not out in the PSL 8 final and his explosive innings against New Zealand showcased his potential as a hard-hitting batsman. Although he identifies himself as a bowler first, Afridi is ready to make an impact with the bat whenever the opportunity arises.
As Afridi returns to Test cricket with his lethal bowling and newfound batting abilities, he embodies the resilience and determination that define his journey. Pakistani cricket fans can look forward to witnessing his contribution to the team’s success in the upcoming matches.
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