Shaheen Afridi Career

image-lskd85xdShaheen Shah Afridi(x.com)

Shaheen Shah Afridi, a prominent Pakistani cricketer, currently leads the Pakistan national cricket team in T20Is and captains the Lahore Qalandars in the PSL. Under his captaincy, Lahore Qalandars clinched their first PSL title in 2022 and successfully defended it in the 2023 season, making history as the first team to achieve this feat. 

In the Test format, Shaheen Afridi has showcased his prowess in 29 matches, securing an impressive 113 wickets with an average of 26.72. His ODI career comprises 53 matches, where he has taken 104 wickets at an average of 23.94. In the T20 arena, Afridi has participated in 52 matches, boasting 64 wickets with an average of 22.73. 

Currently ranked 12th in the ICC Test bowling rankings, 7th in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, and 22nd in the ICC T20 bowling rankings, Afridi's stellar performances make him a crucial asset for the Pakistan cricket team, contributing significantly to their success on the international stage.

Shaheen Afridi’s Early Career

Born on April 6, 2000, in Landi Kotal, Khyber Agency, Shaheen Shah Afridi hails from the Zakhakhel Afridi tribe, a Pashtun community in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Growing up as the youngest of seven brothers in Landi Kotal, Afridi's eldest brother, Riaz Afridi, who played a single Test match for Pakistan in 2004, notably influenced his cricket journey. Additionally, his cousin Yasir Afridi is a professional footballer who proudly represents the Pakistan national football team.

image-lqrgp0uzShaheen Afridi & his brothers(x.com)

Shaheen Shah Afridi's cricket journey commenced at the Tatara Ground in Landi Kotal, named after the nearby Tatara hills. Introduced to hard-ball cricket by his brother Riaz Afridi during the FATA Under-16 trials in 2015, Shaheen swiftly transitioned from tennis-ball cricket. His early success at the Under-16 level earned him a spot on the tour of Australia in November 2015, where he played a vital role with four wickets in the 2–1 victories during the One-Day and Twenty20 series.

Shaheen Afridi’s Domestic Career

Shaheen Afridi's cricket journey gained momentum in December 2016 when he secured a spot in the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team for the 2016 Under-19 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Making a mark early on, he showcased his talent by taking 3 wickets for 27 runs in Pakistan's convincing nine-wicket victory over Singapore in the opening match. 

In September 2017, Afridi inked a two-year contract with the Dhaka Dynamites, a significant franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League. His foray into first-class cricket with Khan Research Laboratories in the 2017–18 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was nothing short of spectacular, as he claimed an impressive 8-wicket haul for 39 runs, setting a record for the best figures by a Pakistani bowler on a first-class debut.

image-lqrgwbgzPakistan Under-19 cricket team for the 2016 Under-19 Asia Cup[Source: PCB]

Afridi's skills continued to shine on the global stage as he played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign, emerging as the leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets. Recognizing his potential, the International Cricket Council (ICC) named Afridi as the rising star of the squad. 

The year 2018 marked his Twenty20 debut for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and he made an immediate impact by taking a remarkable five-wicket haul for four runs in a match against Multan Sultans. Subsequently, Afridi's journey expanded to include appearances in domestic leagues such as the Euro T20 Slam and the English T20 Blast, where he not only showcased his skills but also achieved memorable feats, including a hat-trick in the T20 Blast in September 2020.

In December 2021, Afridi's cricketing prowess reached new heights as he was named the captain of Lahore Qalandars. Under his leadership, the team secured victory in the 2022 PSL, making Afridi the youngest captain to win a T20 league. 

Shaheen Afridi’s International career

In March 2018, Shaheen Afridi earned a spot in Pakistan's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the series against the West Indies, marking the beginning of his international T20 career. Making his T20I debut on April 3, 2018, against the West Indies, Afridi showcased his bowling prowess at the highest level. 

Subsequently, in September 2018, he entered Pakistan's One Day International (ODI) squad for the 2018 Asia Cup, making his ODI debut against Afghanistan on September 21, 2018. This marked the expansion of his international cricket repertoire beyond the T20 format.

image-lqrh6xjvShaheen Afridi received his first international cap from legendary Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram. (@TheRealPCB)

November 2018 witnessed Afridi's inclusion in Pakistan's Test squad for the series against New Zealand, leading to his Test debut on December 3, 2018. His consistent performances across formats earned him a spot in Pakistan's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. 

Notably, on July 5, 2019, in a match against Bangladesh, Afridi became the youngest bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match, finishing with impressive figures of 6/35. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recognized his potential and named him the rising star of the squad post the World Cup.

The year 2022 brought additional accolades for Afridi as he was honored with the title of Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council. Having taken 78 wickets in 36 international matches in 2021, he showcased remarkable consistency and skill. Fast forward to October 2023, Afridi's outstanding performance continued in the Cricket World Cup match against Australia, where he claimed a 5-wicket haul. On October 31, he etched his name in history by becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach 100 wickets in ODIs, achieving this milestone in just 51 matches and surpassing the previous record held by Saqlain Mushtaq.

Adding to his list of accomplishments, Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain on November 15, 2023, following Babar Azam's resignation from the captaincy, signifying a new leadership role for the young and talented cricketer.


Shaheen Afridi Test Career

Shaheen Afridi made his Test debut for Pakistan against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on December 3, 2018.

Key Points:

  • Shaheen Afridi achieved his inaugural five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Karachi on December 19, 2019.
  • Shaheen Afridi achieved a 10-wicket haul against West Indies in Kingston on August 20, 2021.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 26th position on the list of youngest players to take five wickets in an innings at the age of 19 years and 257 days.
  • Shaheen Afridi ranks 23rd on the list of the youngest players to take ten wickets in a match at the age of 21 years and 136 days.

Shaheen Afridi ODI Career

Shaheen Afridi made his ODI debut for Pakistan against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on September 21, 2018.

Key Points:

  • Shaheen Afridi delivered his best ODI performance against Bangladesh at Lord's on July 5, 2019, taking 6/35.
  • Shaheen Afridi ranks 14th on the list of best figures in an innings when on the losing side, achieving 5 wickets against Australia in the World Cup 2023 at Bengaluru on October 20, 2023.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 6th position on the list for the best career strike rate, recording 25.9.
  • Shaheen Afridi ranks 29th for the most five-wickets-in-an-innings in a career, achieving this feat three times.
  • Shaheen Afridi occupies the 41st position on the list for the most four-wickets-in-an-innings in a career, totaling nine instances.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 3rd position on the list for the most consecutive five-wickets-in-an-innings, achieving this feat twice in succession.
  • Shaheen Afridi leads the list for the most consecutive four-wickets-in-an-innings, achieving this feat three times in a row.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 8th position on the list as the youngest player to take five wickets in an innings at the age of 19 years and 90 days.
  • Shaheen Afridi ranks 8th on the list as the fastest to reach 50 wickets, achieving the milestone in 25 innings.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 3rd position on the list as the third-fastest to reach 100 wickets, accomplishing this milestone in 51 innings.

Shaheen Afridi: T20I career

Shaheen Afridi made his T20I debut against West Indies in Karachi on April 3, 2018.

Key Points:

  • Shaheen Afridi's standout T20I performance came against Bangladesh in Adelaide on November 6, 2022, where he recorded figures of 4/22.
  • Shaheen Afridi occupies the 49th position on the list of most wickets in T20I, having secured a total of 64 wickets in his career.
  • Shaheen Afridi stands at the 42nd position on the list for the most runs conceded in a T20I career, with a total of 1455 runs.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 36th position on the list for the most wickets taken bowled in T20Is, with a total of 18.
  • Shaheen Afridi ranks 35th on the list for the most wickets taken caught and bowled in T20Is, with a total of 3.
  • Shaheen Afridi holds the 23rd position on the list for the most catches in an innings in T20Is, recording a total of 3 catches.

Shaheen Afridi PSL Career

Shaheen Afridi marked his Twenty20 debut for Lahore Qalandars in the 2018 Pakistan Super League (PSL) on February 23, 2018. Making a significant impact in the following month's PSL match against Multan Sultans, Afridi showcased his bowling prowess by claiming five wickets for just four runs. His stellar performance played a crucial role in Lahore's victory by 6 wickets, earning him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.

In a notable turn of events in December 2021, Afridi was appointed as the captain of Lahore Qalandars. Under his leadership, Qalandars achieved remarkable success by securing the 2022 PSL title, making Afridi the youngest captain to win a T20 league. Additionally, Afridi concluded the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, further solidifying his status as a key player.

Delving into Shaheen Afridi statistics, Afridi has participated in 62 matches, amassing an impressive tally of 88 wickets. His consistent performance and leadership have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the PSL landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) about Shaheen Afridi

Q1. How many wickets has Shaheen Afridi taken in Test cricket, and what is his best individual performance?

Answer. Shaheen Afridi has taken 113 wickets in 29 Test matches, with his best individual performance being 6 for 51.

Q2. What accolade did Shaheen Afridi achieve in 2022, making him the first Pakistani to do so?

Answer. Shaheen Afridi became the first Pakistani to win the Garfield Sobers trophy in 2022.

Q3. When did Shaheen Afridi make his T20I debut, and against which team?

Answer. Shaheen Afridi made his T20I debut against West Indies in Karachi on April 3, 2018.

Q4. In which year did Shaheen Afridi achieve the title of Cricketer of the Year by the ICC?

Answer. Shaheen Afridi was named the Cricketer of the Year by the ICC in January 2022.

Q5. How many matches has Shaheen Afridi played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and how many wickets has he taken?

Answer. Shaheen Afridi has played 62 matches in the PSL, amassing an impressive tally of 88 wickets.