KARACHI: Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha has expressed optimism over Shaheen Shah Afridi’s recovery from a knee injury and said he is hopeful the fast bowler will regain full fitness in time for next month’s T20 World Cup. “We are hopeful he will be fit for the World Cup but the final decision will come from the (Pakistan Cricket) Board on advice from the medical panel,” Salman told the media in Dambulla, where Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Wednesday. Shaheen hurt his knee while fielding in a Big Bash League match in Australia recently. Salman also said Pakistan had managed to prepare a balanced and strong side for the World Cup, and that the series in Sri Lanka would help his players acclimatise to the weather and ground conditions in the country. Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.

Source: Indian Express January 07, 2026 09:54 UTC