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Friday March 29, 2024

Afridi's injury a big blow for Karachi Kings

Seasoned all-rounder picks up knee injury in Sharjah

By Khalid Hussain
March 02, 2018

SHARJAH: Table-toppers Karachi Kings have suffered a setback after it was revealed that their biggest superstar Shahid Afridi has picked up a knee injury.

Afridi, who has played a key role in Karachi Kings’ ascent to the top of the points-table, injured his knee just before the start of his team’s Friday’s game against Multan Sultans. The match was abandoned due to rain, forcing Kings to lose their first point in PSL 3.

However, the bigger worry for Kings and their coach Mickey Arthur is that there is now a big question mark on whether Afridi, who celebrated his 38thbirthday the other day, will be able to featuring in the coming PSL matches.

Afridi went for an MRI at a Dubai hospital on Friday night and the team management will only know about the extent of his knee injury once the doctors receive complete reports.

Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, hoped to get fit soon.

“My apologies to all my fans who came to watch me play today,” Afridi wrote on Twitter.

“Getting an MRI done for my knee. Need your prayers.

“Will get back soon inshallah [God willing],” he wrote.

Afridi is already among the leading wicket-takers in PSL with six in three games and an economy rate of just 5.33. Only Multan’s Imran Tahir has taken more.

Arthur hoped that Afridi will regain his fitness soon.

“It's very frustrating,” Arthur said.

“The adrenaline goes away in the dressing room.

“Afridi is going for an MRI tonight. He felt something in his knee during the warm-ups,” he added.

Arthur, who saw Karachi flop in the first two editions of PSL, is pleased with his team’s showing in the current contest.

“I am very pleased with Karachi's progress. We haven't started well in the previous years.

“We are happy with three wins, but there's a long way to go. We have kept the local players intact. [Joe] Denly, Tymal [Mills], Lendl [Simmons], [Eoin] Morgan will come soon,” he said.

“It's a money ball scenario, if you like.

“I am very happy with the way Imad (Wasim) has taken the team forward. He has sort of owned it. He has done really, really well so far.

“The prep has been outstanding. For us, it's just about keeping the momentum going.”