Pakistan’s first-Test star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has a bruised knee and will not play in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka starting Sunday.
The 22-year-old Afridi was the pick of the seamers from either side in the first Test, finishing with four wickets in the first innings that Pakistan won by four wickets in Galle.
Pakistan team officials confirmed Friday that he would not play in the second Test. Afridi finished on 99 Test wickets at the end of Sri Lanka’s first innings and hopes of him completing the milestone of 100 wickets in the second Test ended with the injury.
Afridi, fielding at mid-wicket, dived in an attempt to cut off a Dinesh Chandimal boundary on day three and was seen hobbling off the field. He was taken for scans and although there was no fracture, swelling and pain ruled him out.
Pakistan has uncapped quick Harris Rauf or seam bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf as replacements.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka brought in uncapped off-spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe after Maheesh Theekshana was ruled out of the match. Theekshana sustained a cut on his right index finger during the first Test.
The hosts also recalled Pathum Nissanka, who had tested positive for Covid-19 during the Australia series.
Source: United News of Bangladesh