Lahore Qalandars’ Key Spinner Could Miss PSL X

Lahore Qalandars’ left-arm spinner Asif Afridi has suffered a significant injury during a practice session, casting serious doubts over his availability for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) X.

Afridi, who was set to lead FATA in the ongoing National T20 Cup 2024-25, sustained a facial injury during a training session at Gaddafi Stadium. The incident occurred when a ball unexpectedly ricocheted off a pole, striking him just below the right eye. He was immediately taken for medical assessment, where scans confirmed a fracture in his Zygomatic bone. As a result, he has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the injury, stating that their medical team will oversee Afridi’s recovery while working with eye specialists to determine a suitable rehabilitation plan. While the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain, his participation in PSL X now hangs in the balance.

Typically, a return to competitive cricket from such an injury takes at least six weeks, meaning Asif Afridi is almost certain to miss the opening phase of PSL X for Lahore Qalandars. Picked in the Silver Category, Afridi was expected to play a key role in the spin department. In his absence, Sikandar Raza and Rishad Hossain are likely to take on the main spin-bowling responsibilities for the team.

The injury has raised concerns within the Qalandars’ camp, with franchise COO Sameen Rana and senior batter Fakhar Zaman visiting Afridi to check on his condition. If his recovery goes according to plan, Afridi could still return in time to feature in the latter stages of PSL X, as Lahore Qalandars aim to secure their third PSL title.