Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi caught up with Virat Kohli ahead of the India-Pakistan 2022 Asia Cup clash on Sunday, and extended good wishes to the out-of-form batter.
Afridi has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a knee injury but is with the Pakistan camp in the UAE. He caught up with a number of India cricketers on Thursday during their practice session, including Kohli, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul.
Kohli walked up to Afridi after obliging fans with a few photographs, inquiring about his fitness first up. “Kaisa hai (How is the injury)?”
“Wahi chal raha hai, jo pehle hua tha (The previous injury persists),” responded Afridi. He had suffered a right knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last year and missed the rest of the series as a result.
Kohli then asked Shaheen about the location of his injury. “Peeche hai (it’s behind)”, responded Afridi, voicing his hope about being fit in time for the T20 World Cup in Australia from October. “World Cup khelenge, Insha’Allah (Will play the World Cup, hopefully).”
Afridi admitted to praying for Kohli’s return to form, a gesture that forced the latter to break into a smile: “Dua kar rahe aap wapas form mei aa jaye. Dekhna chahte hai aapko form mei (I am praying that you return to form; we want to see you back in form again).”
Shaheen then went on to have a hilarious conversation with Pant: “Yaar main soch raha hoon aapki tarah bas batting shuru kar du, ek haath se chhakke lagaau (I’m thinking of becoming a batter like you, start hitting sixes with a single hand).”
Pant reminded Shaheen that he had taken up fast bowling voluntarily, and now will have to put in the hard yards. “Kyu, bowling mai zyada effort lagta hai? Fast bowler ho toh effort lagana padega sir! Compulsory hai (Why, does bowling require more effort? If you are a fast bowler, you have to put in hard work. It is compulsory).” Shaheen also promised Pant of his presence in Dubai during the clash between the two sides.
Despite the injury, Shaheen is with the Pakistan camp upon the request of captain Babar Azam. “Babar wanted him to stay with the team. The management wants to closely monitor his injury rehab. He will be staying in Dubai itself with the team,” confirmed a PCB spokesperson.
Watch Shaheen Afridi’s meeting with Kohli and the other players here:
The suspense is over! Let's listen to the conversation between @iShaheenAfridi and @imVkohli 🔊#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/ttVYLrNtuO
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 26, 2022
