Pakistan seamer Arshad Iqbal: “The NCA (National Cricket Academy) declared me fit, but when I played, I didn’t feel completely fit and ended up getting two injuries. Later, I completed my rehab in the UK, and now I’m fully fit”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Arshad Iqbal has announced that he is “fully fit” now after suffering two injuries that put his career on hold.
Iqbal revealed that he had initially been cleared as fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA), even though he didn’t feel completely ready himself.
His instincts proved correct, as he ended up spending extended time on the sidelines after suffering a couple of injuries.
After that difficult ordeal, the 25-year-old is now relieved to be fully healthy again and eager to showcase his talent in domestic cricket, hoping it will lead to another chance to represent Pakistan.
So far, he has played three T20Is and taken four wickets at an average of 13.25 and an economy rate of 5.88.
However, it should be noted that Iqbal’s last international match came all the way back in October 2023.
“I completed my treatment with the PCB and also finished my rehab there. The NCA (National Cricket Academy) declared me fit, but when I played, I didn’t feel completely fit and ended up getting two injuries. Later, I completed my rehab in the UK, and now I’m fully fit,” Iqbal was quoted as saying on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Lately, the Swabi native was involved in the President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) tournament and took 15 wickets in eight matches for Khan Research Laboratories, which included a five-wicket haul, at an average of 17.
Iqbal is now featuring in the President’s Trophy Grade-I competition, which is a four-day tournament, and began by claiming three wickets in his first game for Khan Research Laboratories at an average of 29.
Since he has been playing domestic cricket, the young fast bowler hasn’t taken part in any of the Pakistan team’s recent assignments, which included a home series against South Africa, ODI series against Sri Lanka, and T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan will return to action soon as they will tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is in Dambulla from January 7 to 11.
Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
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