Notts Outlaws will face a setback in their quest to secure a spot in the T20 Blast Finals Day as Shaheen Shah Afridi will be absent from the team. The talented left-arm seamer, who was initially signed for the entire competition, is required to join Pakistan’s training camp in Karachi ahead of the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Afridi has been out of Test cricket action for nearly a year due to a knee injury, causing him to miss out on matches against Australia, England, and New Zealand.
However, he made a successful return to international cricket during the white-ball series against New Zealand, having previously captained the Lahore Qalandars to back-to-back titles in the Pakistan Super League. The 23-year-old expressed his excitement upon being included in the 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series.
While Pakistan gains Afridi’s services, Notts Outlaws will feel his absence keenly. Afridi’s contribution of 22 wickets played a significant role in Peter Moores’ side finishing fourth in the North Group, securing a quarter-final clash against Somerset, the winners of the South Group. Somerset advanced to the next stage with an impressive record of 12 wins from 14 matches. The quarter-final match is scheduled to take place at Taunton on July 7.
Afridi’s impact for Notts Outlaws has been exceptional, highlighted by his outstanding performance of taking four wickets in his first over against the Birmingham Bears. In their recent victory over the Leicestershire Foxes, he showcased his mastery of death bowling, securing a crucial win for the team.
Despite Afridi’s absence, Notts Outlaws will look to rely on their talented squad, led by players like Jake Ball, Steven Mullaney, and spinners Matt Montgomery and Matt Carter. They will assess whether to find a replacement for Afridi or trust their existing bowling attack. Notably, Afridi will return to the UK to represent the Welsh Fire in the men’s Hundred tournament, commencing on August 1.
Other teams, like the Birmingham Bears, have also been affected by international call-ups. They lost the services of Hassan Ali, who joined the Pakistan squad, leaving the team without his contributions in the latter stages of the competition. In response, the Bears secured the signing of West Indies left-arm seamer Dominic Drakes as a replacement, and he made an immediate impact by taking two wickets for 34 runs in their recent win over Durham.
As the T20 Blast quarter-finals approach, teams will need to adapt and make adjustments to compensate for the absence of key players. The competition promises thrilling matches as teams fight for a coveted spot in the Finals Day.
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