‌WATCH, AUS vs PAK | Caring Babar Azam turns physio to aid Shaheen Afridi’s bruised thumb

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

11/10/2024

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Unprecedented injuries might take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. Pakistan spearhead Shaheen Afridi was on the receiving end of a sudden thumb injury when senior pro Babar Azam tended to him with medical assistance even before the physio walked in during the third ODI against Australia.

‌Much like the second ODI in Adelaide, Pakistan won the toss and put the hosts to bat first at the Perth Stadium. The ploy worked well for the visitors as the new ball pair of Naseem Shah and Shaheen spit venom against the Aussie top order. The exploits continued with Haris Rauf taking over, leaving the Kangaroos reeling at 88/6 by the 21st over. With Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa negative the Men in Green for a brief period, Shaheen was tasked to get the partnership broken in the 26th over when he ended up getting injured.

The third ball of the 26th over was bowled short of a length outside the stumps to Abott who pulled it towards square of deep mid wicket for a single. A throw was made from the deep to deny a couple of runs when Shaheen tried to grab the incoming white cherry in front of the bowler’s end wickets. In the process, the ball thudded his left arm’s thumb, leaving the bowler agonizing in pain. He was on his haunches when Babar arrived at the scene and tended to him. The former captain held his thumb and massaged it for a while before the physio strolled into the field and examined during the drinks break.

Dr. Babar Azam!