Shaheen was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to knee injury.
Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq said that despite pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi not being there, he has full confidence in the ability of the team’s pace attack to deliver in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.
Asia Cup is just a few days away from now. Pakistan will kick-start their campaign against arch-rivals India on Sunday (28th August). However few days ahead of the tournament, the Babar-led side suffered a massive blow as premier pacer Shaheen was ruled out of the tournament.
The left-arm fast bowler suffered a right knee ligament injury and was advised 4-6 weeks of rest by the medical team. Shaheen has been Pakistan's top performer for the last few years and his absence will leave a massive void for Pakistan as they clash with arch-rivals India on 28th August.
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Shaheen rattled India’s top order last time the two teams clashed with each other in the T20 World Cup 2021. Not only against India but his absence will also dent Pakistan’s chances of winning the trophy.
Mohammad Hasnain has been named the replacement for the injured Shaheen in Pakistan’s squad and the pacers will have big shoes to fill when he steps on the field.
Addressing the press conference, Saqlain Mushtaq said that Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf since the last few years have been executing the plans well and despite Shaheen not being there they can change the situation of the game on any day.
“Since last few years, these three have been executing the plans and demands of the Pakistan team really well. The captain, me as a head coach and the entire support staff has confidence in their abilities. Shaheen used to lead the attack, but these three also on a given day or situation can change the game,” Saqlain Mushtaq said.
Calling it “working together” philosophy, Mushtaq said that coaches from the high-performance centre will be travelling with the team
“The coaches at the high-performance centre will go up with the main side and see how things are done. So when they return to the high-performance centre, these coaches will be able to work on lines of that philosophy,” he said.
Mushtaq also talked about hot weather conditions in UAE, saying that it’s a part and parcel of the game.
“In professionalism, these things come and go. Sometimes you play during day, sometimes at night. Sometimes it is white-ball cricket, sometimes it is red ball. Sometimes it is the longer format, sometimes it is the shorter format. Oppositions keep changing. It is our requirement that we do not think about this, think about our plans, adapt and execute them quickly,” he concluded.
(ANI inputs)