Afridi Minor Injured Ahead of Australia Series

London: Pakistan suffered an injury scare just a week before the start of their tough series against Australia when it was revealed that captain Shahid Afridi is nursing a side strain.

Afridi has confirmed that the strain has troubled him a bit but is confident that he will recover in time to play in the opening Twenty20 International against Australia July 5 in Birmingham.

The seasoned all-rounder, who is leading his team in a warm-up match against Kent in Canterbury, will be visiting a clinic later Wednesday to ascertain the full extent of the injury.

I don't think its anything serious, said Afridi. Its just a minor side strain and hopefully I'll be fully fit soon.

Afridi, 30, will lead Pakistan in back-to-back series against Australia and England later this summer. At the helm of a relatively inexperienced team, Afridi has to carry much of his team's hopes during the tour which include two T20 games and two Tests against Australia and four Tests, five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 against England.

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Australia vs India - 1st Test West Indies vs Bangladesh - 1st Test 1st ODI - Zimbabwe v Pakistan - November 24, 07:30 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Pakistan - November 26, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Kandy No results 3rd T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Hobart Australia won by 7 wickets (with 52 balls remaining)

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