Kowloon Cantons hail injured Shahid Afridi – Pakistan star to mentor team but will not play in HK T20 Blitz
All-rounder needed 12 stitches on his right hand after a fielding mishap during the Pakistan Super League
Kowloon Cantons have praised Shahid Afridi after the Pakistani all-rounder said he would still travel to the city for the DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz despite injuring his hand during the Pakistan Super League.
The 27-year-old former national captain hurt his right hand while fielding in a match for Peshawar Zalmi in UAE, against Karachi Kings. He needed 12 stitches and was forced to pull out of his team’s final against Quetta Gladiators, which Zalmi won in Lahore to be crowned champions.
Although he is unable to play for Cantons, Afridi will be in Hong Kong as a mentor to the team.
“We are all touched by the commitment shown by Shahid Afridi, to come and nurture domestic talent in Hong Kong, despite such a severe injury,” said Cantons CEO Urvashi Sethi.
Watch: Shahid Afridi gets injured while fielding
Afridi’s loss is the third blow suffered by Cantons in terms of their overseas players. Indian Yusuf Pathan was forced to pull out by the India’s cricket governing body, who refused permission for him to play, while England’s Tymal Mills suffered a hamstring injury and also withdrew.