Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar admitted that the team management and the PCB risked the career of Shaheen Shah Afridi after the star speedster sustained another injury during the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 against England at the MCG on November 13.

Shaheen aggravated his knee injury while taking a catch, and it forced him to leave the field after he bowled one ball in his 3rd over, and England chased down 138 runs with ease to win the T20 World Cup 2022 final against Pakistan. However, the PCB said that the injury is not that serious.

Well, a few days after the injury, Akhtar claimed that Shaheen was never fully fit to play in the T20 World Cup 2022, but he avoided blaming Babar Azam or the Pakistan team for the injury, as they desperately needed him in Australia. 

Read Also: PCB provide update on Shaheen Afridi after he hobbled off in T20 World Cup final

Shoaib Akhtar said on Zee News: “When your main bowler becomes unfit, then it creates a problem for you. Shaheen (Afridi) was never fully fit, but we cannot put the entire blame on him as he bowled well in the past 2-3 matches. But this is the World Cup final. Even if the leg breaks. Whatever happens, happens. Just keep running and do something. But this was not in our fortune.”

When asked if Pakistan should have rested Shaheen for the final considering his past injury, Akhtar said that the pacer could have used painkiller, but it was a tough call.

He signed off by saying, “When you numb your feet, the pain is not felt. Yes, you are risking the career of the young man. It is a World Cup final, and whether you can risk or not that you have to think as a captain. It is a tough decision.”

Shaheen has now been reportedly ruled out of the upcoming home series against England and New Zealand.