“Had I not been injured, perhaps we could have won” – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2022 Final Loser

Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler for Pakistan, believes his team could have defeated England in the 2022 T20 World Cup Final if he had not been injured. Afridi sustained a ligament injury in his right knee while diving for a boundary during Pakistan’s Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle. Notably, he had endured numerous setbacks since then, with a knee injury during the 2022 T20 World Cup final garnering increased attention.

While discussing his injuries, Afridi acknowledged the impact they had during pivotal moments of his career. The 23-year-old suffered a knee injury while making a crucial catch against England in the T20 World Cup final, preventing him from bowling further. He stated that Pakistan could have won the championship if he had remained in the game until the end.

“Of course, it’s every player’s dream to win the World Cup for his country, and I still recall how that tournament ended in 2021. And in this tournament (2022), perhaps we would have won if I hadn’t been injured at such a crucial time. Perhaps if I had stayed in shape and bowled. Afridi told ESPNcricinfo that injuries can occur at any time.

Afridi on his speed and bowling performance: “I’ve been feeling good”
Afridi stated that everyone had an opinion regarding his pace, but he felt alright. He also stated that taking wickets and providing his all on the field were of paramount importance to him. He added that while pace wasn’t as crucial, it would improve over time if it had decreased.

“Everyone has an opinion on it [the pace], but I’ve been in excellent spirits. You feel good about yourself, even if you are bowling at 110kph and taking wickets. I played bowling. I gave my all on the field, which is more important. “Speed is less important, but if it has declined, it will recover over time,” he added.

Despite the setbacks, the fast bowler is more concerned with contributing to Pakistan’s success. In recent matches against New Zealand, he has taken 19 wickets for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League 2023 (PSL), six in T20Is and eight in ODIs.