Afridi to miss PSL final in Lahore due to hand injury

DUBAI: Peshawar Zalmi’s star allrounder, Shahid Afridi will not be able to feature in the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) which is to be played on Sunday at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Shahid Afridi suffered a brutal injury in the last playoff of the PSL against Karachi Kings, when he tried to catch a powerful drive from the powerful West Indian batsman, Kieron Pollard. As soon as the ball struck him, Afridi ran off the field with a bleeding right hand. Later it was learned that he has received 12 stitches.

Doctors have advised the veteran allrounder at least 10-day rest, thus he will not be able to entertain his local fans in Lahore.

Shahid Afridi released a video message in which he expressed his wish to play the final in front of his own crowd, but said that there are some things that are beyond anyone’s control.

“I really wanted to play the PSL final in Lahore in front of my countrymen, but there are certain things which are not in my or anyone else’s power,” said Shahid Afridi.

The 37-year old also shared that PSL was a challenge for him as he disappointed his fans with his performance during the World T20 2016.

“PSL was a big challenge for me after the World T20 because I had thought I would not be able to give performances expected by my fans,” he said.

He also mentioned that whatever cricket he is going to play now onwards, it will be only for his fans. He congratulated his Peshawar Zalmi’s teammates for making it through to the final and also wished luck to their opponents, Quetta Gladiators.

@SAfridiOfficial message for all his fan. pic.twitter.com/20tyIaXeix

— TEAM AFRIDI (@TEAM_AFRIDI) March 3, 2017