Star Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has said that he is trying to give his 100% in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 after making a comeback to the national side from a long injury layoff.
He had sustained a knee injury earlier this year which kept him away from competitive cricket for almost three months.
Shaheen also stated that his speed has not slowed in the World Cup amidst criticism that Pakistan's team management is playing him when he is not fully fit.
"It is not easy to come back from such an injury after three months. May god never put anyone through this injury but those who pick up this injury obviously know how difficult it is. I am trying to give my 100%. I think my pace was similar earlier too. The average pace was around 135-140 kph; I am trying to get back to full fitness. Match fitness is different. When you come back after three months, it is difficult to put in a full effort immediately," he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The left-arm pacer opened up on the challenges he faced while in rehab for the first few weeks.
"I was alone [in England where he did the rehab], I struggled for two three months. I have never had such a long injury layoff. Of course, your friends and teammates back you and appreciate you. My target was to play in the World Cup, and thanks to god I could.
"For the first two months, I didn't even walk properly because the swelling would increase. I just went to the gym then. In the last two weeks, I bowled indoors so that I am somewhat prepared to run on these surfaces. The summer was over so there were no outdoor pitches available so I could only bowl indoors," Shaheen revealed.
Talking about the Men in Green’s performance in the marquee event, Shaheen Afridi said that the team will do its best in the remaining matches and will make it to the knockout stages if it's meant to be.
"We lost two close matches but as a team we know we are a better team than that. At the same time, we dominated those two matches for long periods. They are history now. We are just sticking together and trying to do our best. See we can control only what is in our hands. So we are not thinking of the other matches. If it is in our fate, we will make it," Shaheen said.
"No team is easy in this World Cup. It's good we are on board. We played the last two games well too but the result is not in your hands. We will try to give our best in the remaining matches," added Afridi when asked about the team's game against South Africa on Thursday (November 03).
The 22-year-old although has only one wicket to his name in three matches so far, he has been very economical.
(ESPNcricinfo Inputs)
