Shahid Afridi, also known as Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi, was born on March 1, 1977, in Khyber Agency, Pakistan, into a Pashtun family from the Afridi tribe. His family has deep spiritual roots, with his grandfathers being notable spiritual figures. Afridi’s upbringing in a large family with six brothers and five sisters played a significant role in shaping his life. He was introduced to sports, particularly cricket, by his uncle, a colonel in the Pakistan Army. Inspired by the 1992 Cricket World Cup and Imran Khan’s leadership, Afridi pursued cricket with determination and passion.
Afridi is married to his maternal cousin, Nadia Afridi, and together they have five daughters. His daughter, Ansha Afridi, married Pakistani cricketer Shaheen Afridi in February 2023.
Rise to Fame in International Cricket
Shahid Afridi international cricket journey began in 1996 when he was selected to play in the ODI format against Kenya. However, it was in his second ODI match against Sri Lanka that he made headlines by breaking the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, scoring 100 runs off just 37 balls. This remarkable achievement instantly made Afridi a cricketing sensation. His Test debut came in 1998 against Australia, and he later made his T20I debut in 2006 against England.
Afridi’s aggressive batting style and exceptional leg-spin bowling made him an invaluable asset to the Pakistan cricket team. He was named the player of the tournament in the 2007 T20 World Cup and played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory in the 2009 T20 World Cup, where he was named the player of the match in the final.
Leadership Roles and Captaincy
Afridi’s leadership abilities were recognized early on, and he was appointed captain of the Pakistan T20I team after Younis Khan’s retirement in 2009. His captaincy extended to the ODI team in 2010 after Mohammad Yousuf was removed from the role. Although Afridi briefly captained the Test team, he retired from the format after just one match.
Under Afridi’s captaincy, Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, where they were defeated by India. Despite his efforts, Afridi was removed as ODI captain later that year. He retired from ODI cricket in 2015 and stepped down from T20I captaincy after Pakistan’s early exit from the 2016 T20 World Cup. Afridi officially retired from international cricket in 2017 but made a brief return in 2018 for a charity match.
Domestic and Franchise Career
Afridi’s domestic cricket career was equally illustrious. He started his journey in the 1994-95 season, playing for Karachi Whites in the under-19 championship, where he showcased his talent by taking 42 wickets in just five matches. His impressive performances led to his selection in the senior national team.
Over the years, Afridi played for various domestic and international cricket teams, including Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Kent, Southern Redbacks, and several others. His stint with Leicestershire in 2001 was particularly notable, where he scored 295 runs in five first-class matches and took 11 wickets.
Afridi also had a significant presence in the T20 franchise circuit. He played in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Deccan Chargers and later represented teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), including Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans. Afridi’s involvement in the PSL extended beyond just playing, as he also served as the president of Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings at different times.
In addition to his PSL career, Afridi played in various other T20 leagues around the world, including the Bangladesh Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Afghanistan Premier League, and the Lanka Premier League. He also participated in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and was instrumental in leading Rawalakot Hawks to victory in the inaugural season.
Contribution to T10 Cricket
Shahid Afridi influence extended to the T10 format as well. He was a brand ambassador and captain in the T10 League in the UAE, representing teams like Pakhtoons and Qalandars. His association with the T10 format continued as he launched his own T10 league, the Mega Stars League, in 2022.
Philanthropy and Social Work
Beyond cricket, Afridi has made significant contributions to society through his charity work. He established the Shahid Afridi Foundation, which focuses on providing education and healthcare facilities in Pakistan. Afridi also collaborated with UNICEF to promote anti-polio campaigns in the country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Afridi actively helped people across Balochistan, which unfortunately led to him contracting the virus in June 2020. His charitable efforts have earned him recognition, including being named among the top 20 most charitable athletes in 2015.
Legacy and Impact
Shahid Afridi impact on cricket, particularly in Pakistan, is undeniable. His aggressive playing style, leadership qualities, and ability to inspire both teammates and fans have solidified his place as one of the most beloved cricketers in the history of the sport. Even after his retirement, Afridi continues to influence the cricketing world through his mentorship roles, charity work, and ongoing involvement in various cricketing leagues.
Afridi’s career, marked by numerous records and achievements, serves as an inspiration for future generations of cricketers. His journey from a young boy in Khyber Agency to a global cricketing icon is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport.
Post-2009 ICC World Twenty20: Afridi Takes Over as T20I Captain
In 2009, after leading Pakistan to victory in the ICC World Twenty20, Younis Khan announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket. This unexpected decision left a significant gap in the team’s leadership. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quickly appointed Shahid Afridi as the new captain for T20 Internationals. Initially, this appointment was for just one match, as the board was yet to decide on a permanent captain. Afridi, known for his aggressive playing style and charismatic personality, was seen as a suitable leader for the shortest format of the game.
Afridi’s Remarkable ODI Performance
Afridi’s abilities were not limited to T20 cricket. In 2010, he delivered a memorable bowling performance against Australia, taking six wickets for just 38 runs. This feat was recognized globally, with ESPNcricinfo voting it as the Best ODI Bowling Performance of 2009. His contribution in the match highlighted his importance to the team, especially in limited-overs cricket.
Ball-Tampering Controversy: A Major Setback
However, Shahid Afridi career was not without its controversies. On 31 January 2010, during the fifth match of the Commonwealth Bank ODI series in Australia, Afridi was caught on camera biting the cricket ball. This act of ball-tampering led to widespread criticism. Afridi later admitted to the offense and pleaded guilty, resulting in a two-match ban from Twenty20 internationals. This incident tarnished his reputation and brought his leadership into question.
Appointment as ODI Captain: A New Challenge
Despite the controversy, the PCB continued to see Afridi as a valuable leader. In March 2010, the board announced that Afridi would take over as the captain of the ODI team, replacing the sacked Mohammad Yousuf. This new role came with significant expectations, especially since Pakistan was gearing up for the 2010 Asia Cup.
Asia Cup 2010: Afridi Shines with the Bat
Afridi’s tenure as ODI captain started on a positive note. In the 2010 Asia Cup, he led from the front, scoring two centuries in the tournament. These came against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, helping him finish as the highest run-scorer of the tournament with 265 runs from just three matches. His aggressive batting style, combined with his leadership, made him a standout player in the competition.
Captaincy in All Formats: A Short-Lived Experiment
On 25 May 2010, Afridi was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan national team in all three formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This was a significant moment in Afridi’s career, as he had previously announced his retirement from Test cricket but decided to return to the format to lead the team.
However, his return to Test cricket was brief and not particularly successful. In July 2010, Afridi captained Pakistan in the first Test of the series against Australia at Lord’s. While he played an aggressive innings of 31 off 15 deliveries in the first innings, his performance in the second innings was disappointing, scoring only 2 runs. Afridi’s impulsive style, often his strength in limited-overs cricket, proved to be his downfall in the longer format. After the match, he once again announced his retirement from Test cricket, citing his lack of temperament for the format as the primary reason.
Spot-Fixing Scandal and Afridi’s Response
The 2010 tour of England, during which Afridi had stepped down from Test cricket, was marred by the infamous spot-fixing scandal. Pakistani players Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, and Test captain Salman Butt were temporarily suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being implicated in the scandal. Afridi, who was no longer part of the Test squad, revealed that he had raised concerns about Mazhar Majeed, the man at the center of the fixing scandal, as early as June that year.
Afridi’s foresight in distancing himself and other senior players from Majeed’s influence was crucial. According to Afridi’s representative, he had warned the authorities about Majeed’s suspicious activities. Majeed later confirmed that he had approached Afridi, along with other prominent players like Abdul Razzaq, Younis Khan, and Saeed Ajmal, but they all refused to engage in any wrongdoing. No disciplinary action was taken against these players by the ICC, as they had clearly rejected Majeed’s advances.
Afridi’s Legacy and Impact on Pakistani Cricket
Shahid Afridi’ career, especially during this period, was a mix of brilliant performances, leadership challenges, and off-field controversies. His aggressive playing style made him a fan favorite, while his leadership roles in the T20 and ODI formats helped shape the Pakistan cricket team during a transitional period. Despite the ball-tampering incident and his struggles in Test cricket, Afridi’s contributions in limited-overs cricket, particularly in the 2010 Asia Cup and his remarkable bowling performances, solidified his place as one of Pakistan’s cricketing legends.
Afridi’s ability to lead by example, whether with the bat or ball, and his efforts to maintain the integrity of the game during the spot-fixing scandal, added to his complex but significant legacy. His decisions to step down from Test cricket twice underscored the challenges of balancing personal strengths with the demands of different formats.
Conclusion: A Cricketer Who Defined an Era
Shahid Afridi remains a polarizing figure in Pakistan cricket. While his career was marked by moments of brilliance and controversy, there is no denying the impact he had on the game. His leadership, particularly in the limited-overs formats, and his ability to inspire the team during challenging times, ensured that his name would be remembered among the greats of Pakistani cricket. Despite the ups and downs, Afridi’s passion for the game and his contributions as a player and captain left an indelible mark on the history of Pakistan cricket.
Click this link for further details
