Tag: Shaheen Afridi

An inquiry has been sought after an alleged breach of security protocols involving Lahore Qalandars players Sikandar Raza and Shaheen Shah Afridi during the ongoing Pakistan Super League Season 11 in Lahore.

Lahore Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) Muhammad Faisal raised the issue with the PSL chief executive officer and called for action to prevent such incidents in the future.

In a letter, the DIG referred to a report from the superintendent of police (operations), Civil Lines Division, stating that the incident took place on March 28, 2026, at the team hotel where all PSL sides stay under strict security arrangements.

According to the report, the Lahore Qalandars liaison officer approached PCB Security and Anti-Corruption Manager Lt Col (retd) Akhtar Hussain at around 10:35pm and requested permission for Raza’s four relatives to visit his room. Officials rejected the request under existing security protocols.

The letter stated that Lahore Qalandars owner Sameen Rana later put forward the same request, which officials also declined on security grounds.

Despite the refusal, at around 11:05pm, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sikandar Raza escorted the four visitors to Raza’s room, overriding  security staff. The visitors stayed there until approximately 1:25am.

The DIG described the incident as a clear violation of PCB security protocols and the code of conduct, which aim to ensure the safety of players and officials. He urged the PSL management to review the matter at the appropriate forum and take necessary action.

Meanwhile, Sikandar Raza has clarified his position and accepted responsibility during a post match press conference on Sunday.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi did not act on his own. He went on my request—I was the one who asked him because my family had arrived. Nothing like this happened in the past four years. If any change has occurred [in SOPs], I am not aware of it. The one responsible for this entire matter is sitting right in front of you: Sikandar Raza,” he said.

Raza added, “One thing should be remembered that by birth I am a Pakistani and (a) few family members will come to meet me.”

He further explained the situation, saying, “The (previous) protocols were that I couldn’t go out of the hotel, but I could meet my family members, close cousins and friends in the hotel.”

“The four friends, who came yesterday, I have known them personally for a long time, so it was nice to see them. I wasn’t aware of this (the security protocols),” he said.

Raza also said he took the visitors to his room to select cricket bats they had brought with them.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi endured a disappointing Big Bash League debut when umpires stopped him from bowling after he delivered two beamers in his third over.

The left-arm pacer struggled to control his line and length throughout his brief stint. He conceded 43 runs in just 2.4 overs without taking a wicket before the umpires intervened and stopped him from bowling further in the match.

Shaheen represents Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, but his highly anticipated debut turned into a nightmare as he failed to make an impact with the ball.

Pakistan’s other star players also struggled in their Big Bash debuts. Mohammad Rizwan, representing Melbourne Renegades, managed only 4 runs off 10 balls before getting dismissed.

Babar Azam had an equally forgettable start to his BBL campaign. The former Pakistan captain scored just 2 runs off 5 balls before losing his wicket against Brisbane Heat in his opening match.

In total, seven Pakistani players feature in this year’s BBL season. 

Alongside Rizwan and Babar are Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat), Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars), Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder), Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), and Usama Mir (Melbourne Renegades).

The Big Bash League is being played across various venues in Australia, including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Brisbane, Canberra, and Geelong. The tournament began on December 15, 2024, and will conclude with the final on January 27, 2025.

The league will resume its regular season matches before the playoffs begin on January 21.

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has said that Mohammad Rizwan stepped down from leading the team by his own choice and he informed Rizwan first when he was appointed captain.

Speaking to members of the media in Rawalpindi before the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Shaheen said he contacted Babar Azam and other players when he first became captain. He said, “I will not talk about why I was removed from captaincy.”

Shaheen said that when the PCB offered him the ODI captaincy, he immediately informed Rizwan. He said, “I told Rizwan first that I am becoming captain and I took his opinion.” He added, “Rizwan decided himself to step away from captaincy and I accepted the role after consulting him.”

Shaheen said the team is focusing on all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding. He said every player must take responsibility. He said, “It is not the job of only Rizwan, Babar, Fakhar, Saim or Shaheen.”

Commenting on Babar Azam’s form, Shaheen said, “Babar will return with performances and a century.”

Shaheen said he seeks advice when he needs it and not only from former captains. He said, “Rizwan has scored the most runs in ODIs since 2023. The priority is to support players who are not in form.”

Shaheen said Pakistan must strengthen its bench and the captain should be part of selection discussions. He said the selection committee picks the 15-member squad but the captain’s opinion matters.

Shaheen also spoke about Hassan Nawaz. He said, “Hassan recently became a father and needed family time, which is why he was released from the squad. Releasing him does not mean he is out of future plans.” Shaheen said, “Hassan will play domestic cricket at his preferred batting position and that other batters are performing well at that spot in the national side.”

Last month, the PCB replaced Rizwan with Shaheen as Pakistan’s ODI captain.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play an ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15. The tri-nation series will run from November 17 to 29 with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed pride and excitement after being appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain.

The 25-year-old left-arm pacer took over the captaincy from wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan last month and will now lead Pakistan in the 50-over format for the first time.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference, Shaheen called it an “honour and responsibility” to lead the national side, emphasizing teamwork and respect for the management’s decisions.

“It’s an honour to represent Pakistan as captain,” Shaheen said. “Wearing the national colours is always special, and with this new role comes added responsibility.”

He said Pakistan carried good momentum from the T20I series against South Africa and aimed to continue the same energy in the ODIs.

“The boys are in good rhythm after a strong T20 series. Our focus now is to carry that energy into one-day cricket and improve in the areas that matter,” he added.

When asked about leadership changes and his previous experience as T20I captain, Shaheen remained composed and focused on his goals.

“Our job is to play cricket and serve Pakistan in whatever role we’re given,” he stated.

“Leadership decisions rest with the board and management, and we respect that. My only focus right now is on performing well and helping the team grow in ODIs.”

The star pacer also praised Babar Azam, who recently returned to form in the T20I series, calling him one of Pakistan’s most dependable performers.

“Every player goes through ups and downs. Babar’s class is never in doubt,” Shaheen said.

“Just because he doesn’t perform in a couple of matches doesn’t make him a bad player. For the last four or five years, he’s been our most consistent performer and the highest run-scorer in both T20Is and ODIs.”

“Whenever our senior players contribute, the team ends up winning. Babar’s return to form is a huge boost for us.”

Shaheen will lead Pakistan in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, which will be played from November 4 to 8 in Faisalabad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Shaheen Afridi as the new captain of Pakistan’s ODI team. 

According to reports, head coach Mike Hesson, director of high performance Aaqib Javed and members of the selection committee made the decision during a meeting in Islamabad.

Shaheen will lead the national side in the three-match series against South Africa.

Pakistan and South Africa will play the ODI series from November 4 to 8 at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Shaheen, 25, has played 66 ODIs and 92 T20Is for Pakistan, taking 249 wickets across both formats.

He also has 120 wickets in 32 Test matches. These numbers do not include his stats from the ongoing Rawalpindi Test against South Africa.

It may be noted that Shaheen earlier led Pakistan in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand in 2024.

Big Bash League side Brisbane Heat have announced a special fan zone named the “Shaheen Shah Afridi Fan Bay” to honour Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is expected to represent the franchise for the first time this season.

Tickets for the Shaheen Bay will go on sale soon with the exclusive zone active during all five of Brisbane Heat’s home games at the Gabba. The matches are scheduled for December 19, December 27, January 2, January 10 and January 18.

The franchise said the fan zone has been created to celebrate Shaheen’s arrival in the BBL and to allow the Pakistani community and cricket fans to show their support.

The honour, however, comes at a time when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) of national players for foreign leagues.

The decision, confirmed through an official notification issued by PCB Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed, came a day after Pakistan lost to India in the final of the Asia Cup.

The board had earlier granted NOCs to several players for participation in BBL, but those approvals have now been put on hold.

The move directly affects Pakistan’s leading cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf.

Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved another significant milestone in T20 International cricket following Pakistan’s narrow victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup Super Four stage. 

Pakistan secured an 11-run win in the thrilling contest in Dubai to book their place in the tournament final. Chasing a target of 136, the Bangladesh team managed only 124 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Afridi delivered a magnificent all-round performance, playing a key role in both innings. He led the attack, showcasing brilliant bowling figures by claiming 3 wickets for just 17 runs. Afridi also made a vital contribution with the bat, scoring a quick 19 valuable runs off only 13 balls, an innings that included two towering sixes.

His performance earned him the Player of the Match award. This award marks Afridi’s tenth Player of the Match award in T20 International cricket. This achievement now officially makes him the fast bowler with the most ‘Player of the Match awards’ in T20I history, setting a new record in the format. Pakistan now faces arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup final on Sunday.

Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has picked South Africa’s Hashim Amla as the toughest batter he has ever bowled to, placing him ahead of India’s Virat Kohli.

“I have played Test and ODI cricket against Hashim Amla. He is a tough opponent. I also bowled against him in the Vitality Blast in England, which is a T20 tournament. I felt he is a very good batter,” he said while speaking on the Bricks to Riches podcast.

When the host asked if Amla was tougher than Kohli, Shaheen replied, “Virat Kohli is a different player, but Hashim bhai is the toughest.”

Shaheen also discussed his career and future goals.

Earlier, former West Indies fast bowler and commentator Ian Bishop also praised Shaheen, calling him Pakistan’s “baby Starc” for his ability to consistently target the stumps, comparing him to Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has shared his thoughts on the absence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the Asia Cup squad.

Babar and Rizwan, who have represented Pakistan in every major tournament since the 2021 T20 World Cup, have been out of the T20I side since the series against South Africa in December 2024 due to poor form. Both players did not make it to the Asia Cup squad, a decision that sparked criticism from fans and former cricketers.

Speaking during a training session at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, Shaheen said, “I might not be part of the team in the future as well. Everyone should get a chance. Babar and Rizwan have played great cricket for Pakistan, and Inshallah they will play again, but youngsters should also get opportunities, and we need to support them.”

Shaheen added that preparations for the Asia Cup are going well and emphasized the importance of the upcoming tri-nation series. “There is a big match coming up in the Asia Cup, and we are preparing well for it. The tri-series will help us in preparation. In T20 cricket, no team is easy.” 

The pacer also dismissed rumors of internal issues in the team. “We hear things from outside about differences in the team, but nothing like that exists. Even in families, small things do happen, and they should stay within the family. Our job is to play cricket and bring happiness to Pakistan,” he said.

Pakistan will play a tri-nation T20I series against Afghanistan and hosts UAE from August 29 to September 7, followed by the Asia Cup starting on September 9.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a clarification regarding left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, dismissing recent reports of a verbal spat that the star bowler was involved in. 

In an official statement, PCB wrote, “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) categorically denies the baseless, fabricated, and defamatory allegations currently being circulated on social media pertaining to an alleged incident involving Shaheen Shah Afridi, team captain Salman Ali Agha, and a member of the coaching staff.”

“The PCB affirms that no such incident has occurred at any point during training or practice sessions. These malicious rumors are entirely fictitious and appear to have been deliberately concocted with clear malafide intent to sow discord within the national squad,” the Board added.

PCB said, “Such misinformation constitutes a calculated and reprehensible attempt to undermine the cohesion, morale, and reputation of the Pakistan national team. The PCB considers this a serious and premeditated defamation campaign, which is aimed at damaging the professional integrity of the individuals targeted and the collective environment of the squad.”

“Accordingly, the PCB will be initiating stringent legal proceedings, including but not limited to defamation and cybercrime charges, against the individuals and/or entities responsible for originating and disseminating this false narrative. Any persons found complicit in propagating these claims will be held fully accountable under applicable laws,” the board further added.

The PCB also stated, “The Board strongly advises the general public, media representatives, and digital platforms to refrain from engaging with, endorsing, or amplifying unverified and irresponsible content. The PCB remains committed to protecting its players, staff, and the sanctity of the national team from unwarranted and harmful speculation.”

It merits mention that Shaheen Afridi is part of Pakistan’s squad for the T20I and ODI series against the West Indies.