Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi Suffers Thumb Injury, Babar Azam Provides First Aid
Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi endured a painful blow to his left thumb during the third and final ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday. The incident occurred in the 26th over when Sean Abbott’s shot to deep mid-wicket resulted in a hard, flat throw on the bounce. As Afridi attempted to stop the ball at the non-striker’s end, it grazed his thumb, causing visible discomfort.
Captain Babar Azam swiftly intervened, pulling Afridi’s thumb to alleviate the pain. Commentators initially feared a dislocation, but Azam’s prompt action prevented further damage. The physio arrived shortly after, ruling out dislocation and administering magic spray to ease the pain.
Despite the discomfort, Afridi resumed bowling, much to the relief of Pakistan fans. His resilience proved crucial as Pakistan’s pacers dominated the Australian batting lineup, restricting the hosts to a mere 140 runs. Afridi and Naseem Shah claimed three wickets each, while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain also contributed to the bowling effort.
The injury scare added to the drama of the series-deciding match. Australia had won the series opener by two wickets, but Pakistan responded with a resounding nine-wicket victory in Adelaide to force a decider. The final ODI in Perth was a tense affair, with Pakistan ultimately emerging victorious by 11 runs.
Afridi’s injury is a concern for Pakistan, who are scheduled to face New Zealand in a two-match Test series starting on December 26. The extent of his injury remains unclear, but his determination to continue bowling despite the pain is a testament to his commitment to the team.
