LAHORE: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's leading pace bowler, feels that he will be fit to compete in Pakistan's opening T20 World Cup match against India on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, according to PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who provided a significant update on Shaheen's availability.

Afridi was injured during Pakistan's first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, tearing a ligament in his right knee. Since then, he has been unable to play, skipping the Asia Cup, seven T20 matches against England at home, and the current tri-series in New Zealand, which also includes Bangladesh.

"The day before, I had spoken with Shaheen (on Wednesday). I haven't had this fit in a while, he remarked. So, the development is excellent. I received videos of him from his doctor in which he is 90% fit. He believes he will play against India and be prepared for combat "Raja spoke with DawnNews in a discussion.

Afridi led Pakistan with 3/31 in his four overs as they defeated India by 10 wickets in the opening match of the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. Now that Raja has confirmed his availability for the T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"This is excellent news since knee injuries are incredibly complex and delicate. Accordingly, we felt that until he is fully fit, we shouldn't take a chance (of playing him). I spoke with him, and he assured me that he was currently 110 percent (fit), so I shouldn't worry. I'll participate in practise games in Australia, and I'm prepared for the game against India "Raja said.

Raja continued by addressing the explosive India-Pakistan game by saying, "The Indian squad has also begun to respect Pakistan, particularly since they realised that Pakistan is capable of defeating them in any match. We have given the team the best tools at our disposal to win the World Cup." In addition to Afridi, left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman was also included in the T20 World Cup squad as a travelling reserve owing to a knee ailment. Raja thinks the southpaw can still be included in the starting lineup if he is deemed to be healthy.

"He is also going through rehab. There is no question in my mind that he has a lot of value if he does manage to get healthy. The team will respond to the call based on how they are considering their combination." Usman Qadir, a leg-spinner who is a member of the 15-man team for the T20 World Cup, is battling a hairline fracture to one of his fingers, Raja also revealed. "Sadly, Usman Qadir has a hairline fracture in one of his fingers. What possibilities the squad has left to choose from therefore remains to be seen."

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