Made his international debut for Pakistan in 2018, at the age of 18, Shaheen Afridi evolve into one of the deadliest fast-bowler for Pakistan National Cricket Team. On this article, we will find out more beyond his stats, records, and contorversies.
Summary & Key Takeaways
ShowShaheen Afridi: A Rising Fast-Bowler from Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi’s journey from a young talent to a key player in Pakistan national cricket team has been remarkable. Known as one of the best fast-bowler in the sporst histoy.
His ability to consistently bowl at speeds of 90 mph, coupled with his height, makes him a formidable opponent. Here are the story of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s cricket career:
Early Life and Career
Shaheen Shah Afridi was born on April 6, 2000, in Landi Kotal, Pakistan. He emerged as a promising young talent in Pakistani cricket, known for his towering height and fast bowling capabilities.
Afridi started playing cricket at the age of 15 and quickly made his mark in the Under-16 team against Australia in 2015.
His impressive performances in the youth circuits led to his selection for the Pakistan U19 team in the Asia Cup.
Domestic Career
Afridi’s domestic career began with Khan Research Laboratories in 2017, and he soon made his List A debut for Baluchistan.
His breakthrough performance came in his First-Class debut, where he recorded the best bowling figures of 8/39 by a Pakistani bowler.
Afridi also played for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), leading them to the title in 2022 as the captain and top wicket-taker.
T20I Career
Afridi debuted in T20 Internationals against the West Indies in Karachi in April 2018. Despite a rocky start, he quickly established himself as a key player in the format.
His most notable performance came in the T20 World Cup 2021 against India, where he took 3 wickets for 31 runs, earning the ‘Player of the Match‘ title.
These days, Shaheen Afridi started playing with Welsh Fire in the 2023 season of The Hundred. He was signed by the team as part of the player draft in July 2023.
Test Career
Afridi’s Test debut was against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in December 2018.
He struggled initially in overseas conditions but found success at home, registering his maiden five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Karachi.
In 2021, he became the third youngest pacer to take a 10-wicket haul in a Test match, achieving this milestone against the West Indies in Jamaica.
ODI Career
Afridi made his ODI debut in September 2018 against Afghanistan. He quickly proved his mettle in the format, achieving two 4-wicket and one 5-wicket hauls in his early career.
In the 2019 ICC World Cup, he set a record as the youngest player to take a 5-wicket haul in a World Cup match, with figures of 6/35 against Bangladesh.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Performances
In the 2019 World Cup, Afridi was a standout performer for Pakistan. He claimed 16 wickets in the tournament, the most by a young player in a single edition of the World Cup.
His 6/35 against Bangladesh remains the best performance by a Pakistan bowler in the event’s history. Afridi’s recent exploits in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup have been particularly impressive.
As the top wicket-taker in the tournament and the quickest pacer to 100 ODI wickets, he has established himself as a formidable force in world cricket.
His five-wicket haul against Australia and his rise to the top of the ICC ODI bowler’s rankings are testaments to his skill and potential.
This young fast bowler, known for his height and speed, continues to be a key player for Pakistan, contributing significantly to their successes on the cricket field.
List of Shaheen Afridi’s Cricket Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a formidable bowler for the Pakistan cricket team, has made significant strides in international cricket since his debut in 2018.
His records in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is highlight his exceptional talent and contribution to the sport. Here’s a detailed look at some of his significant records:
Top Records
Test Matches
- 40th Best career strike rate (49.6) in bowling.
- 26th Youngest player to take five-wickets-in-an-innings at 19 years and 257 days.
- 23rd Youngest player to take ten-wickets-in-a-match at 21 years and 136 days.
One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
- 6th Best career strike rate (25.9) in bowling.
- 1st in Most consecutive four-wickets-in-an-innings with 3 occurrences.
- 3rd Fastest to 100 wickets, achieving this in 51 matches.
- 14th Best figures in an innings when on the losing side with 5 wickets.
- 29th Most five-wickets-in-an-innings in a career with 3 occurrences.
- 41st Most four-wickets-in-an-innings in a career with 9 occurrences.
- 8th Youngest player to take five-wickets-in-an-innings at 19 years and 90 days.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
- 45th Most wickets in career with 64 wickets.
- 50th Most balls bowled in career with 1143 deliveries.
- 38th Most runs conceded in career with 1455 runs.
- 34th Most wickets taken bowled with 18 wickets.
- 48th Most wickets taken caught with 40 wickets.
- 34th Most wickets taken caught and bowled with 3 wickets.
- 23rd Most catches in an innings with 3 catches.
Afridi’s Family: The Pilar of His Cricket Record
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a prominent figure in Pakistani cricket, has a rich family background that has played a significant role in his journey to becoming a fast-bowling sensation.
Family Origins and Background
Shaheen Afridi hails from the Zakhakhel Afridi tribe of the Pashtuns, a significant ethnic group in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This tribe is one of the largest in the Khyber Agency and is part of the broader Pashtun Tribe known as “Afridi”.
Born on April 6, 2000, in Landi Kotal, a town near the Afghanistan border in Pakistan’s Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shaheen grew up in his native Landi Kotal, imbibing the traditions and values of his tribe.
Immediate Family
- Father: Ayaz Khan, Shaheen’s father, is a retired government official. His support and guidance have been pivotal in Shaheen’s cricketing journey.
- Mother: Details about Shaheen’s mother are less known, but as a homemaker, she has undoubtedly been a cornerstone in providing a stable and nurturing environment for Shaheen and his siblings.
- Siblings: Shaheen is the youngest of seven brothers. His brother, Riaz Afridi, also a cricketer, introduced Shaheen to hard-ball cricket in 2015, marking the beginning of his formal cricket journey. Riaz Afridi made his debut for Pakistan in 2004.
- Extended Family and Relatives: Shaheen has a cousin, Yasir Afridi, who is a professional footballer, showcasing the athletic prowess in the family.
Marriage and Personal Life
Shaheen Afridi is married to Ansha Afridi, the second eldest daughter of the renowned Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi.
Their marriage, which took place on February 3, 2023, following Islamic customs, brought together two prominent cricketing families.
The engagement between Shaheen and Ansha was publicly announced by Shahid Afridi in May 2021, marking a significant event that garnered much attention in the cricketing world. Shaheen and Nadia Afridi, his wife, have five daughters.
Shaheen Afridi’s Net Worth: A Glimpse into the Prosperity of Pakistan’s Bowling Star
Shaheen Shah Afridi, renowned for his fast bowling prowess, has not only made a name for himself in the cricketing world but also amassed significant wealth. His net worth is a reflection of his success both on and off the cricket field.
Net Worth
Shaheen Afridi’s net worth in 2023 is estimated to be around $7 million, which translates to approximately PKR 198 crore in Pakistani rupees or INR 55 crores in Indian rupees.
PCB Salary
Afridi has an ‘A’ category contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), earning him an annual salary of $92,352. This places him among the highest-paid cricketers in Pakistan.
PSL Salary
As the captain of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Afridi earns a significant sum. His annual earnings from the PSL alone are around $170,000.
Endorsements and Sponsorships
Afridi’s cricketing excellence has made him a sought-after figure for brand endorsements and sponsorships. He endorses various brands, including Gym Armour and Faysal Islami, contributing to his substantial income.
Assets and Lifestyle
Afridi owns two expensive houses, one in his hometown Landi Kotal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and another in Islamabad, reflecting his luxurious lifestyle.
His collection of vehicles includes a Land Cruiser, valued at INR 1.5 crore, and an Audi A4, priced at INR 1 crore. These assets signify his taste for luxury and comfort.
5 Controversies Surrounding Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi, the young Pakistani fast bowler, has not only made headlines for his impressive performances on the cricket field but also for several controversies that have surrounded him.
Here’s a look at some of the major controversies involving Shaheen Afridi:
1. Rumors of Dressing Room Rift with Babar Azam
In 2021, rumors surfaced about a possible rift between Shaheen Afridi and Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam.
These rumors were fueled by Afridi’s cryptic one-word tweet, “Alhamdulillah”, which was interpreted by some as a response to the alleged rift.
However, the specifics of this controversy remained unclear, and Afridi did not publicly address the rumors in detail.
2. Allegations of Lobbying for T20I Captaincy
Shaheen Afridi found himself at the center of another controversy when his father-in-law, former cricketer Shahid Afridi, was accused of lobbying for Shaheen to become the Pakistan T20I captain.
3. Alleged Racist Remarks at a Journalist
Shaheen Afridi landed in hot water for making an objectionable comment to a journalist.
After a Test match against Sri Lanka, Afridi, while addressing the media, told a journalist, “Please throw some light on yourself so that I can see you clearly“.
This comment was perceived as racially insensitive, leading to the journalist demanding a public apology and threatening legal action if Afridi did not comply.
4. Sexual Harassment Accusation
In a more serious controversy, Shaheen Afridi was accused of sexual harassment by a Twitter (now X) user from Pakistan.
The user, Hareem Shah, uploaded a video allegedly showing Afridi engaging in obscene gestures during an online video chat.
The video and the tweet were later deleted, but not before they had gone viral on social media.
Afridi broke his silence on the matter, focusing on his cricketing commitments and fitness, without directly addressing the allegations.
5. Controversy Over Medical Treatment and PCB Support:
A controversy arose regarding the nature of Shaheen Afridi’s departure to England for medical treatment during the Asia Cup.
Shahid Afridi claimed that Shaheen was financing his own treatment and stay in England, which led to confusion and controversy over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) role in the matter.
PCB chairman Ramiz Raja suggested that the hurried nature of Shaheen’s departure might have caused a lack of clarity, leading to the controversy.
The PCB later clarified its responsibility for arranging medical care and rehabilitation for its players.
Anything You Need to Know about Shaheen Afridi
Who is the new T20 captain of Pakistan?
The new T20 captain of Pakistan is Shaheen Shah Afridi. He was appointed to the position on November 15, 2023, after Babar Azam stepped down as captain of all formats of the game.
Who is Pakistan's new captain in 2023?
Pakistan has two new captains in 2023: Shaheen Shah Afridi for T20Is and Shan Masood for Tests. Afridi was appointed on November 15, 2023, while Masood was appointed on the same day.
Who is better, Amir or Shaheen?
Both Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi are excellent fast bowlers, and it is difficult to say definitively who is better. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Amir is a more experienced bowler and has a better record in Tests, while Shaheen is a more explosive bowler and is known for his ability to take wickets at crucial junctures of the game. Ultimately, it is up to the individual fan to decide who they think is better.
