Shaheen Afridi 'feeling better' after undergoing appendectomy

Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi said Sunday that he underwent an appendectomy. 

The player took to Twitter to inform his fans about the surgery and said that he is feeling better now. 

"Had an appendectomy today but Alhumdulillah feeling better. Remember me in your prayers," wrote Shaheen. 

Had an appendectomy today but Alhumdulillah feeling better. Remember me in your prayers. 🤲 pic.twitter.com/M70HWwl9Cn

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) November 20, 2022

Afridi is also currently undergoing rehab for his knee injury. At the MCG in the T20 World Cup final against England, Afridi had to hobble off the field after experiencing some discomfort in his knee, leaving Pakistan a bowler short at a crucial juncture. 

He had shown signs of pain on the field, especially after taking a catch to dismiss Harry Brook. As he slid low from long-off to hold on, he appeared to have hurt his knee and was immediately in some pain. He was helped off the field by the team physio and doctor. He returned an over later, ran in gingerly to send down one delivery, but couldn't carry on. He bowled just 2.1 overs in all.

Shaheen was then advised two-week rehabilitation, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board on November 14.

“The scan conducted on Monday morning prior to the team’s departure for Pakistan, has confirmed there were no signs of an injury and the knee discomfort was likely due to a forced knee flexion whilst landing,” the PCB stated on Monday.

“The scans were discussed between PCB’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro, and Australian knee specialist, Dr Peter D’Alessandro, and it was reassuring to know that there was no injury. The left-arm fast bowler is feeling better and is in high spirits,” it added.

The PCB has also said that the left-arm pacer’s return to the cricket field will be determined by the medical staff.

“Shaheen will undergo rehabilitation and conditioning programme that has been designed to strengthen his knee at the National High Performance Centre few days after his return to Pakistan,” the press release further stated.

“Shaheen’s return to international cricket will be subject to the champion fast bowler’s successful completion of the rehabilitation programme and following go-ahead by the medical staff,” it added.

It must be noted that Pakistan’s next international assignment is the three-match Test series against England on home soil, which starts on December 1.