Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been virtually ruled out of the lone T20 International against England, to be played next month in Manchester.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the national selectors were not considering all-rounder Afridi for the match on September 7 as he was carrying a knee injury.

“He has undergone a MRI scan and has been advised to undergo a rehabilitation program at the national cricket academy for the next few weeks,” the source said.

The source also said that Afridi, who stepped down as the national T20 captain after the World T20 Cup in April, would first be required to play a couple of matches in the final leg of the national T20 championship next month before being considered for national selection.

“Afridi is keen to play T20 Internationals for Pakistan as he has now focused on just this one format after his retirement from ODIs last year. But he has to prove his fitness and form to the selectors first,” the source said.

Afridi had to step down as captain in April after Pakistan performed poorly in the Asia Cup and World T20 in Bangladesh and India.

He also confirmed that batsmen Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad would also not be considered for the T20 in England.

“Even though the two have apologised to the Chairman of the board but the selectors are yet not ready to accept them back in the national team,” the source added.

He said that both the youngsters would be considered for the forthcoming three-match T20 series against the West Indies in the UAE from September 23 to 27th.

“Afridi, Shehzad and Umar will come under consideration for the West Indies series but the selectors still want more assurance that Shehzad and Umar will be on their best behaviour when they return to the team,” the source stated.

The selectors are however planning to pick uncapped allrounder Ammad Butt for the T20 match in England.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid
Afridi has been virtually ruled out of the lone T20
International against England, to be played next month in
Manchester.
Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the
national selectors were not considering all-rounder Afridi for
the match on September 7 as he was carrying a knee injury.
“He has undergone a MRI scan and has been advised to
undergo a rehabilitation program at the national cricket
academy for the next few weeks,” the source said.
The source also said that Afridi, who stepped down as the
national T20 captain after the World T20 Cup in April, would
first be required to play a couple of matches in the final leg
of the national T20 championship next month before being
considered for national selection.
“Afridi is keen to play T20 Internationals for Pakistan
as he has now focussed on just this one format after his
retirement from ODIs last year. But he has to prove his
fitness and form to the selectors first,” the source said.
Afridi had to step down as captain in April after
Pakistan performed poorly in the Asia Cup and World T20 in
Bangladesh and India.
He also confirmed that batsmen Umar Akmal and Ahmed
Shehzad would also not be considered for the T20 in England.
“Even though the two have apologised to the Chairman of
the board but the selectors are yet not ready to accept them
back in the national team,” the source added.
He said that both the youngsters would be considered for
the forthcoming three-match T20 series against the West Indies
in the UAE from September 23 to 27th.
“Afridi, Shehzad and Umar will come under consideration
for the West Indies series but the selectors still want more
assurance that Shehzad and Umar will be on their best
behaviour when they return to the team,” the source stated.
The selectors are however planning to pick uncapped
allrounder Ammad Butt for the T20 match in England.

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