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Shahid Afridi is a name synonymous with Pakistani cricket. He is a dynamic and versatile all-rounder who has made an indelible mark in the international cricketing arena. Known for his aggressive style of batting, unpredictable leg-spin bowling, and electrifying fielding skills, Afridi has been a fan favourite since his debut match. Despite being surrounded by controversies throughout his career, he remains one of the most respected cricketers in Pakistan.
Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi was born on 1 March 1977, in Khyber Agency, Pakistan. He hails from the famous Afridi tribe of Pashtuns and has six brothers, including Tariq Afridi and Ashfaq Afridi, who are also cricketers. His grandfather Maulana Muhammad Ilyas was a well-known spiritual leader in Bhutan Sharif while his other grandfather, Sahibzada Abdul Baqi, was given the title Ghazi-e-Kashmir for his efforts during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948.
Afridi's love for cricket started at an early age when he used to accompany his elder brothers to their cricket matches. He started playing street cricket with them and soon developed an interest in the game. In no time, he caught the attention of local coaches who saw potential in him.
Despite speculation about his real age, Afridi made it to the Pakistan ODI squad at the tender age of 16. He became an instant sensation after scoring a century off just 37 balls in only his second ODI match against Sri Lanka in 1996.
Afridi's impressive domestic performances earned him a place in the national team for the Sahara Cup against India in Toronto later that year. He quickly became a vital member of the Pakistan cricket team, known for his explosive batting and wicket-taking abilities.
With time, Afridi's stature as an all-rounder grew, and he established himself as one of the most iconic cricketers in Pakistan's history. He played numerous match-winning innings and took crucial wickets to help his team win games.
Afridi was appointed captain of the T20 side in 2009, leading them to victory in the 2009 T20 World Cup. He played a crucial role in the semi-final and final with some phenomenal all-round performances.
In Test cricket, Afridi had a short career, playing only 27 matches before retiring from the format at the age of 31. He was more successful in limited-overs cricket, where he proved to be a match-winner with bat and ball on many occasions.
Afridi was known for his unorthodox playing style when it came to batting. He adopted an aggressive approach by trying to hit every ball out of the park. His ability to smack sixes at will earned him the nickname "Boom Boom Afridi." With more than 11,000 runs and over 500 wickets across all formats of international cricket, Afridi has proven himself to be an asset for any team.
As a bowler, Afridi's biggest strength is his leg-spin bowling. He has a quick run-up and delivers high-quality googlies that often bamboozle batsmen. His quicker deliveries have also been effective in crunch situations.
Off-field, Afridi is known for his philanthropic work through his charity foundation named after him. The Shahid Afridi Foundation aims to provide education and healthcare facilities in underprivileged areas of Pakistan.
Conclusion
Shahid Afridi is undoubtedly one of Pakistan's greatest cricketers who have made their mark on the world stage. His unique style of playing has earned him fans not only in Pakistan but also worldwide. Although known for his mercurial temperament, Afridi's contribution to Pakistan cricket is undeniable. His legacy will live on, inspiring young cricketers for generations to come.
Shahid Afridi is widely regarded as a big-game player, and his contributions in major ICC tournaments prove this. Afridi played his part in Pakistan's triumph during the 2009 World T20, where he showcased his all-around skills in the semi-final and final. He scored 51 off 34 balls against South Africa in the semis and then took two crucial wickets to help Pakistan win the match by seven runs. In the final against Sri Lanka, Afridi produced an unbeaten knock of 54 off just 40 deliveries and bowled four tight overs for only 20 runs. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Afridi was also instrumental in Pakistan's path to the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup, where he finished as their joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Zaheer Khan with 21 wickets. He scored a quickfire half-century against Sri Lanka, which ensured Pakistan won the crucial group stage game by eleven runs.
The flamboyant cricketer was also a significant contributor to Pakistan's success in other notable tournaments such as Asia Cup (2000, 2012), ICC Champions Trophy (2004), and Kitply Cup (2008). In these competitions, he often played crucial innings that changed games or picked up vital wickets that broke partnerships.
Afridi has been equally impressive while playing for T20 franchises worldwide. He has represented various teams such as Deccan Chargers, Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators and many others across different leagues like IPL, PSL, BPL, and CPL among others. He has often been sought after due to his big-hitting ability apart from being a handy spinner of the ball.
One of Afridi's most memorable performances came while playing for Hampshire in the 2011 Friends Provident T20 quarter-finals against Somerset. He smashed 80 off just 42 balls and then took three wickets to guide Hampshire to a famous win.
Shahid Afridi is known for his all-around abilities, and he often played as a pinch-hitter during the early stages of his career. However, over time, Afridi developed his game and became a genuine all-rounder who could impact matches with both bat and ball.
Afridi's primary role on the team is that of a leg-spin bowler who can also contribute with the bat. The spinner is known for his unique variations, including two different types of googly deliveries which he uses effectively to bamboozle batsmen. Afridi's pace while delivering his overs makes it difficult for batsmen to set themselves up for big shots, making him an effective wicket-taking option.
Afridi's batting technique can be described as unconventional, but it has been effective on many occasions. He is known for his aggressive style of play as he usually looks to attack from ball one. His attacking style often puts pressure on the opposition bowlers and forces them into making mistakes or bowling poor deliveries.
While Afridi's batting has been entertaining, it has often lacked consistency throughout his career. Despite scoring two of the fastest ODI hundreds in history, he has struggled with inconsistency and frequently throws away starts due to reckless shot selection.
Shahid Afridi is considered one of Pakistan's most beloved cricketing icons due to his humble personality and charitable work off the field. The cricketer runs the Shahid Afridi Foundation which aims to provide education and healthcare facilities across Pakistan.
Afridi was also involved in various philanthropic activities during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, where he helped people across Balochistan. Afridi's charity work has earned him recognition as one of the most charitable athletes worldwide.
On the field, Afridi is known for his leadership qualities, having captained Pakistan in various tournaments. He led Pakistan to their first T20 World Cup title in 2009 and also captained the side during the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
Off the field, Afridi enjoys playing various sports such as football and volleyball. The cricketer also takes an active interest in running and has completed several marathons. Afridi has been associated with several brands over the years and was once one of Pepsi's main ambassadors in Pakistan.
Shahid Afridi's impact on cricket has been immense. He is widely known as an all-rounder who has single-handedly won matches for his country. One of the most significant impacts that he has had is his aggressive batting style, which influenced many other cricketers to adopt a similar approach.
Afridi holds the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket history, which he achieved at the young age of 16. He also holds the record for being the only cricketer ever to score a half-century and take five wickets on two separate occasions in ODIs. These records demonstrate his exceptional talent and skills as an all-rounder.
Moreover, Afridi's leadership role has been notable throughout his career. He led Pakistan in various tournaments, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won their first-ever T20 World Cup in 2009.
Afridi's legacy includes inspiring millions of cricket fans worldwide with his exciting brand of cricket and dedicated service to world cricket. His contributions have led him to become one of Pakistan's most popular sports figures.
Shahid Afridi has achieved numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career. In addition to leading Pakistan's T20 squad to victory in 2009, he was also named Player of the Tournament at that year's ICC World Twenty20 competition.
Afridi is also a recipient of several awards from Pakistan's government, including the President's Pride of Performance award in 2010 for outstanding achievements in sports.
In addition to these accomplishments, Afridi held multiple honorary positions after retiring from professional cricket, serving as an ambassador for several charitable organizations including UNICEF and The British Asian Trust.
Shahid Afridi is one of the most famous cricketers in history. He has had a long and distinguished career, spanning more than two decades, playing for Pakistan and various franchise teams around the globe.
Afridi's contributions have been significant both on and off the field. Besides his successful cricketing career, he is known for his charitable work through the Shahid Afridi Foundation, which aims to provide education and healthcare facilities in Pakistan.
As he retires from professional cricket, Afridi leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of excellence in leadership, performance, and philanthropy. His impact on the game will undoubtedly be felt by future generations of cricketers worldwide.
FAQs
What is Shahid Afridi's net worth?
Shahid Afridi's net worth is estimated to be around $30 million.
How many daughters does Shahid Afridi have?
Shahid Afridi has five daughters.
When did Shahid Afridi make his debut match in ODI cricket?
Shahid Afridi made his ODI debut match against Kenya in 1996.
What is Shahid Afridi's highest score in Test cricket?
Shahid Afridi's highest test score is 156 runs.
Is Shahid Afridi still active in professional cricket?
No, Shahid Afridi retired from international cricket in 2017 but has since returned to play for charity matches.
