(SPORTSMAX) – PAKISTAN all-rounder Shahid Afridi has given assurances that he will be playing in the Windies versus ICC World XI charity match set for Lords on May 31, despite the fact that he is not yet recovered from a long-running knee injury.

The 38-year-old former Pakistan captain tweeted on Thursday that the knee he injured during the Pakistan Super League in March would require three to four more weeks to heal, putting in doubt his ability to show up at Lords.

“Went to see my doctor in Dubai, knee hasn’t recovered fully yet. I’ll need another 3-4 weeks. Hoping to regain full fitness after that, keep praying for me,” he posted on Twitter to his one million followers.

However, on Friday, Afridi posted another tweet saying he was committed to playing in the match.
“I will be playing @ICC World XI vs @westindies as I feel strongly to support this as a cricketer & Muslim. I am following the rehab plan my doctor gave ?%. My Allah recommends to help people in need with all the power I have. C u @HomeOfCricket on 31st and let’s keep #HopeNotOut.”

Shakib Al Hasan had recently withdrawn, for personal reasons, from the match being played to raise funds to restore facilities in the Windies that suffered heavy damage during the passage of hurricanes in 2017.

His place has been taken by promising Nepalese wrist-spinner, Sandeep Lamichhane.