'Remember me in your prayers' - Shaheen Afridi undergoes appendectomy on his path to recovery after 20-20 World Cup final

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi on Sunday underwent an appendectomy and gave an update on his fitness to his fans. Afridi took to social media and stated that he was "feeling better" following an appendectomy — a surgical operation to remove the appendix — and asked his fans to keep him in their prayers.

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The 22-year-old pacer took to social media to give an update about the medical procedure. "Had an appendectomy today but Alhumdulillah feeling better. Remember me in your prayers," tweeted Shaheen along with his picture on the hospital bed.

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 suffered a knee injury during the final of the 20-20 World Cup due to which he had to leave the field in the middle of his third over. The left-arm seamer was seen limping off the field after bowling the first ball of the 16^th over with England requiring 41 off 29 balls for victory.

He had shown signs of pain on the field, 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 and was helped off the field by the team physio and doctor.

As soon as Afridi walked out, part-time spinner Iftikhar Ahmed came in to complete his over and gave away 13 runs in five balls which shifted the momentum towards England. England went on to win the match by 5 wickets and lifted the 20-20 World Cup for the second time. Afridi bowled a brilliant spell of 2.1 overs picking up the wicket of Alex Hales giving away 13 runs.

Shaheen Afridi to undergo two-week rehabilitation

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on November 14 had said that Shaheen has been advised two-week rehabilitation.

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"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 had said in a statement.

"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 had also mentioned that the left-arm bowler's return to the cricket field will be determined by the medical staff.