Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, the legspinning allrounder nicknamed “Boom Boom”, is in doubt for Wednesday night’s opening Twenty20 match against Australia because of a thumb injury.

The No.4-ranked bowler in T20 Internationals hurt his left thumb while fielding off his own bowling in his side’s loss to Australia in the third and deciding one-day international in Sharjah on Monday night.

Former Test captain Afridi failed with the bat with scores of 0 and seven and took only one wicket in two ODIs against Australia in the just-completed series, missing game two with a sore back.

“His left thumb was wounded quite badly,” Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema told reporters on Tuesday.

“The skin tore off and blood was oozing.

“He’s received two stitches. The doctors intend to examine the intensity of the wound, how far can it be healed.

“Shahid’s availability for the next match depends on the medical examination and expert views.”