Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to injury on Saturday, said that he would be back soon.

“To the fans, keep me in your prayers for my quick recovery,” he said in a tweet after the PCB released the update on his injury.

The Pakistan Cricket Board Advisory Committee and independent specialists have advised the pacer to rest for four to six weeks following the latest scans and reports. The update meant that he would not be able to play the mega event the ACC T20 Asia Cup and the home series against England.

But, Shaheen was expected to return in October with the New Zealand T20I tri-series, which will be followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022.

“Every player of our playing 11 is a match winner. Wishing my team the best of luck for upcoming Asia Cup,” he said.

Shaheen’s exit has left the selectors to pick the right choice for their pace attack in the mega event, especially in the first match against arch-rivals, India. Though Pakistan have Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah and Shahnawaz Dahani in its squad it lacks experience in the bowling department.

Out-of-form Hasan Ali’s name was making rounds on social media in replace of Shaheen.

The nine-team Twenty20 tournament would be played in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai hosts 10 matches, including the September 11 final, while three will be played in Sharjah.