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Tag: Shaheen Shah Afridi

  • ‘Small mistake can be costly’: India’s Kuldeep sees Shaheen as a threat ahead of Super Four clash

    ‘Small mistake can be costly’: India’s Kuldeep sees Shaheen as a threat ahead of Super Four clash

    India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has sounded a note of caution ahead of the high-stakes Super Four clash against Pakistan at the Asia Cup, highlighting the threat posed by pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.

    Speaking to media ahead of the much-anticipated showdown on September 21 in Dubai, Kuldeep praised the in-form left-arm pacer, saying, “Shaheen is bowling really well at the moment. A small mistake against him can prove very costly.”

    “Matches against Pakistan are always high-intensity. The motivation levels are naturally high, and every player wants to give their best,” he said, reflecting on the importance of the rivalry.

    The two teams last met on Sept 14 in their Group A clash where India comfortably chased down Pakistan’s 128-run target to win by seven wickets.

    Although the final Group A match between India and Oman is scheduled for today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, both Pakistan and India have already secured qualification for the Super Four stage.

    Meanwhile, Group B fixtures wrapped up on Thursday with Sri Lanka finishing at the top of the table with three wins from as many games. Bangladesh claimed the second spot with two victories, despite a negative net run rate.

    The Super Four stage kicks off on Saturday with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka. The much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash follows on Sunday, also in Dubai. Monday will serve as a rest day before Pakistan face Sri Lanka at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sept 23.

  • Shaheen’s pace has dropped since injury, he has forgotten bouncer: Bazid Khan

    Shaheen’s pace has dropped since injury, he has forgotten bouncer: Bazid Khan

    Former Pakistan cricketer and renowned analyst Bazid Khan has raised concerns over ace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s declining pace and diminished use of the bouncer, attributing the changes to his return from injury.

    Speaking on PTV Sports during a post-match analysis show hosted by Zainab Abbas, Bazid suggested that the left-arm pacer no longer possesses the same fear factor that once made him a standout performer in world cricket.

    “His pace was noticeably higher before the injury,” Bazid noted. “His inswingers were sharper and more impactful. Since returning, he hasn’t quite regained that intensity.”

    Bazid pointed out that Shaheen appears overly reliant on attempting yorkers too early in his spell, rather than building pressure with short-pitched deliveries. “He’s pitching the ball up too much with the new ball. Given his height, he could be far more effective by setting up batters with short-of-a-length deliveries,” Bazid explained.

    The analyst also expressed surprise at the pacer’s reluctance to bowl bouncers, especially in the initial overs. “I honestly can’t recall the last time he bowled a bouncer early in the innings. It’s surprising for someone of his stature. In the match against India, after getting hit for boundaries, I thought a bouncer in frustration was the natural response. Bouncer… I think he has forgotten? But it seems like it doesn’t even cross his mind anymore.”

    Despite the criticism, Bazid acknowledged that Shaheen has started to employ a shorter length more frequently, which he believes is a step in the right direction.

    The discussion followed Pakistan’s 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup 2025.

    Batting first, Pakistan overcame a mid-innings collapse to post 146-9 in their 20 overs. Contributions from the lower order proved crucial, with Shaheen Afridi delivering a valuable cameo of 29 runs off 14 balls to push the total beyond reach.

    With the ball, Shaheen made an impact as well, claiming two important wickets and earning the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance. His spell helped Pakistan restrict UAE effectively and secure their place in the Super Four stage of the tournament.

  • Shaheen Afridi makes history as first Pakistani to take 100 wickets in every format

    Shaheen Afridi makes history as first Pakistani to take 100 wickets in every format

    Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has become the country’s first player to take 100 wickets across all formats of international cricket. 

    He achieved the feat in the first T20I against South Africa in Durban on December 10, becoming the third Pakistani player to take 100 wickets in men’s T20 Internationals.

    In addition to his T20I success, Shaheen has also claimed 112 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 116 wickets in Test cricket.

    The other two Pakistani bowlers to reach the 100-wicket mark in T20 Internationals are Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan.

    T20I: Pakistan vs South Africa

    The first T20 match between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for December 10, 2024, at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. 

    Heinrich Klaasen led the Proteas side, as Aiden Markram is being rested to focus on the upcoming Test series. Key players Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs were also rested for the T20 series but will participate in the One-Day Internationals. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20 squad, with George Linde making a comeback after three years.

    On the other hand, the Pakistani squad was led by Mohammad Rizwan, with notable players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. The team aimed to build on recent performances and start the series on a positive note.

    Head-to-Head in T20s:
    Total Matches: 22
    Pakistan won: 12
    South Africa won: 10


    Pitch Report:

    The pitch at Kingsmead in Durban was excellent for batting, with good pace and bounce. Batters can trust the surface and play their shots with confidence. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, making it easier to score runs. This ground has seen some high-scoring games before, and we can expect the same this time.

    For bowlers, hitting the right length consistently is key to extracting any help from the pitch. In the final overs, however, they’ll need to vary their deliveries, using different lengths and lines to remain effective.

    Probable Playing XI:

    Pakistan:
    Muhammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiq, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Aghaz, Abbas Afridi

    South Africa:
    Heinrich Klaasen (C), Dewald Ferreira, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Hendrik van der Dussen, Matthew Breetzke, Peterson Kruger, OEG Baartman, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

    T20 Series Schedule:

    1st T20I: December 10, Durban
    2nd T20I: December 13, Centurion
    3rd T20I: December 14, Johannesburg

    During the tour of South Africa, Pakistan played three T20s, three ODIs, and two Test matches.

  • Shaheen Afridi Biography: Family, Wife, Records

    Shaheen Afridi Biography: Family, Wife, Records

    In the world of international cricket, Shaheen Afridi is synonymous with a fast bowler. Fast bowling is one of the reasons that made him prominent everywhere. Shaheen Afridi height and how he swings his bowl in a tricky way are enough to make the batsman confused. 

    Great family support is the main reason behind Shaheen’s remarkable success. Shaheen’s family has been instrumental in nurturing his talent and encouraging his aspirations. This support brought him to the highest level of sport. Shaheen Afridi wife is the daughter of a legendary Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi. She is also the reason for his deep roots in Pakistan’s esteemed cricketing family. 

    This article will explain  Shaheen Shah Afridi’s biography, his personal life, family background, cricketing records, and achievements.

    Early Life and Cricketing Journey

    Afridi belongs to a Pushtun family in the Khyber Agency. This area is popular for producing fast bowlers. Shaheen is a live example of this statement.  He was fond of cricket since his childhood. Shaheen Afridi father didn’t stop him from exploring his passion for becoming a cricketer. This support helps him to make a name in the cricket world quickly. 

    He was identified by selectors after a brilliant time as a part of the Pakistani team in the U-19 World Cup. He started his career as a raw fast bowler with the ability to take wickets. Shaheen Afridi age was 18 when he made his debut for Pakistan’s national team in April 2018, this T20I match was against West Indies. 

    He had an influence very soon and soon he was part of the ODI and Test team. As for years passed, Shaheen has developed as Pakistan’s best fast bowler who bowls devastating Yorkers and one who can make the ball rise off the pitch.

    Wife And Personal Life

    Along with his professional career, his personal life also gained media attention. Shaheen Shah Afridi wedding was announced in 2021 with the daughter of former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi. 

    The marriage between the two families was widely expected in the cricketing profession because it was a union between two personalities of Pakistani cricket. It is crucial to note that the couple tied the knot in February 2023 and their marriage has been widely supported by fans.

    Despite his fame, Shaheen always tried his best to keep his personal life away from the media. 

    His main focus is on his career.

    Family Background

    He belongs to a large and supportive family. He is the youngest child of his family. Afridi’s elder brothers have also been involved in cricket at various levels. Shaheen Afridi family is a blessing for him because they always support him in achieving success in his career. He always expresses gratitude for their support throughout his cricket journey. 

    Shaheen Afridi wasn’t the only child who had an inborn love for cricket but his elder brother Riaz Afridi was also a cricketer. He played for Pakistan in the early 2000s. He was the first trainer of Afridi. 

    Otherwise known as the Afridi’s, the family has been related of course to cricket, and Shaheen’s fast track to the international stage has been the pride of the family.

    Cricketing Records And Achievements

    Shaheen Afridi records are numerous in his cricket career. Here are some of his most notable achievements:

    1. Youngest Fast Bowler to Take 100 Test Wickets: Shaheen Afridi wickets record is the most famous in the world. In 2022 he took 100 test wickets and became the youngest Pakistani bowler at 21. 
    2. ICC Awards: Shaheen was bestowed the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year at the beginning of 2021. He proves the consistency of his excellence in all formats of the game.
    3. World Cup Success: Shaheen was a prominent player in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup for Pakistan. In this match, he had created history by emerging as the youngest bowler to claim five wickets in a World Cup match. Shaheen Afridi Instagram is full of his wicket achievements. His fans followed him to stay updated about Afridi.
    4. Consistent Performer in All Formats: Whether in Test matches, ODIs, or T20Is, Shaheen Afridi always gave match-winning performances in his matches. It is hard to count Shaheen Afridi total wickets because he can adjust with all types of balls. This ability has made him a valuable asset to the Pakistan cricket team.

    Shaheen, a talented young cricketer from the Khyber Agency, has overcome numerous challenges to secure his place in the Pakistan national cricket team. He grew up in a region where resources were limited and there was also a lack of opportunities. 

    Shaheen’s journey to international cricket was marked by determination, hard work, and an unwavering passion. He sharpened his skills through relentless practice and impressive performances at the domestic level, which eventually caught the attention of national selectors and paved the way for his entry into the international arena.

    Premier Fast Bowlers

    Shaheen is famous for his fast bowling. Shaheen Afridi bowling speed is 132-133 kmph which is the main reason for his success in the cricket world. He has become a gem in the cricket world because he is one of the top professional bowlers. He earned admiration from cricket enthusiasts globally because of his fast bowling speed. 

    He has different notable achievements that speak louder about his success. ICC tournaments in domestic leagues like the Pakistan Super League is the platform that gave a boost to his career. Shaheen Afridi is no exception to this by trying to attain more glorious milestones in his career demonstration while revealing his giant pool of talent and hardworking spirit.

    It means that fans of cricket from around the world are waiting for subsequent changes in the game and the development of Shaheen Afridi as a cricketer. His brilliant rise to fame and his week-in-week-out performances are examples of his hard work. 

    One gets the feeling that the best years of his career including more records, personal achievements, and grand contributions towards the cricket achievements of Pakistan are yet to come. Spectators across the cricketing world eagerly follow Shaheen as he seeks to change the course of cricket and make life easier for would-be cricketers.

    Conclusion

    This young cricketer from Khyber Agency had to struggle a lot before getting into the Pakistan Cricket team. Now he is counted among the best bowlers in the world. Shaheen Afridi net worth is approximately $7 million but this is only a rough estimate. 

    A good family backing and the list of achievements running longer by each passing day, Shaheen’s career in cricket seems to be on the upswing. He is married to Ansha Afridi who has established his roots in the Pakistani cricketing family; fans are keenly waiting for what is in store for this young cricketer.

    People May Ask:

    What Is The Connection Between Shaheen Shah Afridi And Shahid Afridi?

    Shaheen Shah Afridi is married to Ansha Afridi. So he is the son-in-law of Shahid Afridi, a legendary cricketer and former captain of the Pakistan national cricket team.

    What Are Some Key Records Held By Shaheen Shah Afridi?

    The list of his records is unlimited but you can check some of the Shaheen Afridi records which may include:

    • Fastest to 50 T20I wickets for Pakistan: Shaheen achieved this record in just 32 matches.
    • Youngest to take a five-wicket haul in a World Cup: Shaheen Afridi age was only 19 when he took 5 wickets against Bangladesh in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. This achievement gave a boost to his cricket career.
    • Leading wicket-taker in a single edition of the PSL: Shaheen is also famous as the king of Pakistan Super League 2022. The reason is that he took 20 wickets in this match.

    What Has Been Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Impact On Pakistan Cricket?

    One of the most prominent bowlers of the Pakistan cricket team, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been no less than a blessing for the team. He has slipped and swung the ball at high speed and has turned out to be a key player in Pakistan’s team, especially in the ODIs. 

    He earns international acclaim as one of the leading fast bowlers in the cricket-playing nations of the world.

    What Are Some Of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Career Achievements?

    Some of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s notable career achievements include:

    • ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2021.
    • His name is prominent in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year 2021.
    • First Pakistani bowler to take four wickets in four consecutive overs in a T20 match.
    • Leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in multiple series and tournaments.

    What Are Shaheen Afridi’s Future Aspirations In Cricket?

    Shaheen Shad Afridi wants to keep contributing to Pakistan’s cricket at the international level; will be a great opportunity to become a captain and take his team to win World Cup and other ICC tournaments. 

    He also wants to capture achievements in Test cricket and strengthen his position as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the World.

  • Shaheen Shah Afridi welcomes his first child

    Shaheen Shah Afridi welcomes his first child

    National team fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and his wife, Ansha Afridi, have welcomed their first child, a son.

    Pakistan team players, management, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are congratulating Shaheen on the new addition to his family.

    Shaheen married Ansha, the daughter of former captain Shahid Afridi, on February 3, 2023.

    He will leave for Karachi tomorrow night to join the team before the second Test match, after playing in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

    The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 3 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

  • Shaheen Afridi breaks silence on rumors of grouping in cricket team

    Shaheen Afridi breaks silence on rumors of grouping in cricket team

    Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has finally spoken out about reports of grouping and misbehaving in the national cricket team.

    The fast bowler broke his silence while talking to media in Karachi, saying, “My training does not allow me to do anything against the team’s interest. I always play for the country and fight against the opposing team on the field; I never bring negative things into the team.”

    In response to a question about captaincy, Shaheen said, “I don’t think about the captaincy, and it is not in my hands; I will play for Pakistan with honour.”

    On the question of resting him for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh next month, the pacer replied, “I have indicated that I am available for the Test series. Now I don’t know whether I am playing the Test series against Bangladesh or getting dropped.”

    After Pakistan’s embarrassing performance in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup last month, news of groupings and differences among the players are circulating in the media. It was speculated that Shaheen Shah Afridi is in a camp that opposes Babar Azam.

    Shaheen was also accused of misbehaving with coach Muhammad Yousuf.

  • Shaheen Shah Afridi withdraws from ‘The Hundred League’

    Shaheen Shah Afridi withdraws from ‘The Hundred League’

    Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has withdrawn from England’s ‘The Hundred League’.

    According to details, the fast bowler is in talks with Canada’s Global T20 League after leaving The Hundred League. Schedules of both the series are clashing. Welsh Fire had retained Shaheen for €100,000.

    The 24-year-old has explained to the England Cricket Board (ECB) that he wants to leave The Hundred to spend time with his family. The Hundred League will be played from July 23 to August 18, while The Global T20 League is expected to be played from July 25 to August 11. He already has a long contract with Desert Vipers in the ILT Twenty.

    Shaheen said, “I regret not playing with Welsh Fire this year. I enjoyed last season at The Hundred and was excited to be back in Cardiff. I wish him all the best for the upcoming season with Welsh Fire.”

    Welsh Fire has replaced Shaheen Afridi with New Zealand’s Matt Henry.

  • Don’t test my patience, Shaheen Afridi shares Instagram story

    Don’t test my patience, Shaheen Afridi shares Instagram story

    Pakistan cricket team’s former captain Shaheen Shah Afridi shared a story on Instagram which states “don’t test my patience”.

    Late at night, Shaheen shared a video story with the words, “Don’t ever put me in a position where I have to show how cruel and merciless I can be! Don’t test my patience because I might be the kindest and sweetest person you’ve ever met, but once I reach my limit, you’ll see me do the unthinkable.”

    The former captain’s Instagram story hinting that all is not well between the players of the national team. Shaheen was only given the captaincy in the series against New Zealand, where the green shirts lost.

    During the ongoing training camp in Kakul, he was relieved of the captaincy while Babar Azam was once again given the responsibility of leadership while PCB also issued a press release in the name of Shaheen, on which the fast bowler strongly protested.

    The return of Babar Azam has fueled the news of grouping in the team before the T20 World Cup.

    After the poor performance of the national team in the 50 overs World Cup in India last year, Babar Azam left the leadership of all three formats. Later the board assigned Test captain Shan Masood and Shaheen the responsibility of T20 format while the captain for ODIs was not announced.

  • Pakistan’s World Cup woe — what’s gone wrong?

    Pakistan’s World Cup woe — what’s gone wrong?

    Pakistan’s chances of making the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup are on a knife-edge after their eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan.

    AFP Sport looks at three problem areas for Babar Azam’s falterinordinary

    World class bowling looks ordinary

    Pakistan’s bowling was touted as world class before the Asia Cup and when they restricted a strong India side to 266 all out in a washed out game at Pallekele, commentators saw it as a major warning to World Cup rivals.

    But two weeks before the showpiece event, key fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

    Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has 10 wickets in five games in India but has failed to make an early impact — his 2-36 against India and 5-54 facing Australia came in losing causes. In the opening wins over Netherlands and Sri Lanka, he managed two wickets at a combined cost of 103 runs.

    Haris Rauf has leaked runs, conceding 286 in five games for eight wickets while the spinners have lacked bite on the slow and turning pitches of India. Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed have just six wickets in five matches between them, conceding 502 runs.

    Captaincy in question

    Babar Azam is one of the top batsmen in white ball cricket — he has two fifties at the World Cup — but his captaincy has been questioned and he has faced accusations of lacking aggression in field settings.

    Pakistan media have consistently accused him of favouring his friends in selection.

    “As far as captaincy is concerned, I don’t have much pressure on me or on my batting. I try to give my best in batting,” Babar said after Monday’s loss to Afghanistan.

    “During fielding, I think about captaincy and during batting I just think about the batting.”

    Babar has won some sympathy in India for his team having to play in front of crowds where Pakistan fans have been effectively banned.

    Tight security has also meant that the squad is virtually confined to their hotels once their playing and training commitments are completed.

    Lack of planning

    There have been frequent, unsettling changes in the the Pakistan Cricket Board set-up — three chairmen in the past year — which hurt planning for the World Cup.

    Former chairman Najam Sethi brought in Mickey Arthur as team director but he also kept his Derbyshire county job in England.

    Directing the team from the UK, he was criticised in some media as a “Zoom coach.”

    Pakistan officials have also been accused of failing to manage the workload of their fast bowlers with Naseem and Shaheen playing all three formats.

    Naseem’s most obvious replacements, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Hasnain were also unfit, forcing Pakistan to recall Hasan Ali.

    “You were not able to find a coach and since you liked foreign ones you hired an online coach. We change our system frequently and that is showing in our performance in the World Cup,” said former Pakistan great Wasim Akram.

  • ‘When you have your crowd then you get the support’: Saud Shakeel

    ‘When you have your crowd then you get the support’: Saud Shakeel

    Pakistan paid a heavy price for being “under extra pressure” in their World Cup defeat by arch-rivals India, said batsman Saud Shakeel, who Wednesday lamented the absence of the team’s passionate supporters from the tournament.

    Pakistan were thrashed by seven wickets on Saturday at Ahmedabad’s 132,000-capacity stadium where there was only a handful of Pakistani supporters.

    Babar Azam’s team slumped from a solid 155-2 in the 30th over to be dismissed for a paltry 191.

    “I think we were under extra pressure so we tried to get out of that and wanted to play shots,” Shakeel told AFP on Wednesday.

    The smattering of Pakistani fans at the game were expatriates from the United Kingdon and United States.

    Supporters from across the border are effectively banned after a failure to gain visas.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday lodged an official complaint with the world governing body over the visa delays which have also kept many members of the country’s media at home.

    The PCB also complained over what they described as the “inappropriate behaviour” of Indian fans towards the Pakistan squad at the Ahmedabad game.

    “When you have your crowd then you get the support. We did not get that and it was not in our hands,” added Shakeel.

    Despite an eighth loss in eight World Cup meetings with their arch-rivals, Pakistan are still well-placed in the tournament after wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

    Middle-order batsman Shakeel scored 68 against the Netherlands before making 31 in the game with Sri Lanka. He was out for just six against India.

    Next up for Pakistan is another high-profile duel, this time with five-time champions Australia in Bengaluru on Friday.

    “The mistakes we committed in the last game, we must overcome them. That match is gone. If we win against Australia then our position will get better,” added Shakeel.

    “Australia are always good in the World Cup. They are a very good side. We know our strong areas and we must play good cricket.”

    “We had a good start to the tournament with two wins. We want to go match by match and not commit the mistakes we did against India.”

    On Wednesday, all the Pakistan players with the exception of Mohammad Haris trained in Bengaluru.

    Haris is still suffering from a fever which laid low many of the squad when they arrived from Ahmedabad.

    Star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and opener Abdullah Shafique were the worst hit but were present in the nets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.