Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi on February 13 announced a premature end to his stint in the Pakistan Super League PSL 2022, indicating that he is battling a lower-back injury and “serious pain”.
The 41-year-old confirmed the development around his lower-back injury and his departure from the PSL 2022 via a YouTube video where he directly addressed his fans. Afridi, who was playing for defending champions Multan Sultans in PSL 2021, had been traded to Quetta Gladiators for PSL 2022.
Despite his honest intention to continue taking the field for Gladiators, Afridi declared his injury has become unsustainable and needs proper care and attention now. Thus, the experienced allrounder informed Pakistan fans of his call to take a break from the remainder of the competition this year.
“I wanted to end PSL on a good note but I have been playing with the lower-back injury for 15-16 years now and the pain is quite intense where I feel it in my groin, knee and even the fingers of the foot,”
he said.
Notably, he had declared this year’s edition of the PSL as his final assignment in Pakistan’s premier franchise-based T20 league. The 41-year-old, who retired from international cricket back in 2018, featured in only three matches of the PSL 2022 for Gladiators. Afridi made four runs in his only knock of the competition but took three wickets with his incisive bowling.
Afridi, however, did say this is not the end of the road for him in competitive cricket as he wishes to continue playing the Kashmir Premier League T20 and also feature in T10 league in UAE. The veteran batter and wrist-spinner mentioned he will be entering a two-three month window of rehab before refocusing on his on-field duties.
Lastly, Afridi made a point to thank the Gladiators ownership group and the team’s fanbase for all their support. He wished for luck and prayers from his fans all over Pakistan to help him regain his full fitness as he wants to push himself to the park again with the intention of keeping his charity foundation’s noble work going.
