Thaindian News

Karachi, July 2 (ANI): Despite suffering a side strain, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is raring to play in the last practice game against Northamptonshire on Saturday before the big series against Australia kicks off with the T20 international at Birmingham.

Talking to The News from London, Afridi said that he has carrying what he described as a ‘minor injury’ since last month’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

The slam-bang all rounder said that the doctors have diagnosed a small rupture in his side and advised him rest for a couple of days, because of which he would miss Friday’s (today) practice match against Essex.

“I suffered from the side strain in Sri Lanka but continued to play by taking painkiller injections. I continued to feel the pain after arriving in England. It was particularly painful during the last practice game (against Kent in Canterbury),”Afridi said.

However, Afridi said he would definitely be playing in the match against Northamptonshire.

“I want to play the last practice match because after that there won’t be any more opportunities to get ready for the Twenty20 games against Australia. It’s a very important series and I want to give my best in it,” he said.

Apart from Afridi, Pakistan are also hoping that their pace spearhead Umar Gul will be fully ready for the series against Australia.

Gul missed the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka because of a shoulder injury, but is back in Pakistan’s squad for the exhaustive tour of England.

Afridi also expressed the hope that Gul would get fit in time for the series against Australia.

“Gul is suffering from minor groin stiffness. He bowled a lot of overs in our match. But I’m confident that he would be okay soon,” he said. (ANI)