Holders Pakistan received a severe blow to their title defence as in-form all-rounder Shahid Afridi is doubtful ahead of the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today. Afridi is largely responsible for taking his team this far in the tournament, with his explosive batting separating Pakistan from arch-rivals India and hosts Bangladesh in the group phase.
The mood in the Pakistan dressing room was out in the open at the team press briefing on Friday, when manager Zakir Khan decided to announce the injury update himself instead of handing the microphone directly to skipper Misbah ul Huq.
‘Shahid Afridi has a grade one hip flexor strain, what it is called in physiotherapy terminology,’ Zakir said at Mirpur on Friday.
‘Our physio Richard is working on him. He’s been given rest and treatment,’ said Zakir.
‘Hopefully tomorrow before the start of the match we will know the complete situation about Afridi.’
‘He has responded well to the treatment. We are all analysing and assessing his situation. Tomorrow we will take the final decision.’
Afridi sent Pakistan fans into rapture with two mighty blows during the tense final over against India to overhaul India’s 245 with two balls remaining and one wicket in hand.
Afridi continued his blazing form against Bangladesh, smacking seven sixes and two fours in his 25-ball 59 to take the momentum of the match from the grip of last edition’s runners-up.
Regular openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad, along with pace bowler Umar Gul, are also carrying injuries and, though they are responding well, their uncertainty has their skipper worried.
Sources though confirmed on the eve of the game that Afridi, Shehzad and Gul will all be fit with Sharjeel still doubtful.
Sri Lanka have won nine of their 13 meetings with Pakistan in the Asia Cup and the teams have split the two finals they have played in, with Sri Lanka winning in Colombo in 1986 and Pakistan winning in Dhaka in 2000.
-With New Age input
