Pakistan's left-arm bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has remarked that he is still attempting to return to pre-injury form because making a recovery after a knee injury is difficult.

The speedsters offered these comments to ESPNcricinfo following Pakistan's victory against the Netherlands at the Optus Stadium in Perth. "It is not easy to return from such an injury after three months. May god never put anyone through this injury, but those who pick up this injury know how difficult it is," said Afridi.

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However, the 22-year-old insisted that he is doing his best on the field but that it will take some time to achieve full-match fitness.

"I am trying to give my 100%. I think my pace was similar earlier too. The average pace was around 135-140 kph; I am trying to get back to full fitness. Match fitness is different. When you come back after three months, it is difficult to put in the full effort immediately," Shaheen said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

After injuring his right knee ligament in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July, the left-arm pacer missed the Netherlands tour, Asia Cup 2022, and the home series against England. Shaheen returned to Pakistan's playing XI for the country's major match against archrival India on October 23.

Afridi went wicketless in the first two games against India and Zimbabwe but looked improved in the third game against the Netherlands, troubling the opposition batters.

When questioned about the rehabilitation period, Afridi said it was difficult because he couldn't even walk at first, but his goal was to play in the T20 World Cup.

"I was alone in England where I struggled for two three months," Afridi said. "I have never had such a long injury layoff. Of course, your friends and teammates back you and appreciate you. My target was to play in the World Cup, and thanks to God, I could.

"For the first two months, I didn't even walk properly because the swelling would increase. I just went to the gym, then. I bowled indoors in the last two weeks to be somewhat prepared to run on these surfaces. The summer was over, so there were no outdoor pitches available, so I could only bowl indoors."

Pakistan will face South Africa in their fourth Group 2 match on November 3 at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).