Tag: Shaheen Afridi

MIRPUR: Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi became the ninth bowler from Pakistan to take 400 wickets in international cricket during the first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

Shaheen dismissed half-centurion Mominul Haque on the fourth day to reach the landmark feat.  With this, he joined Wasim Akram, Waqar Younas, and several other greats on the legendary list.

The 26-year-old completed the feat in his 211th international match, moving to ninth place on Pakistan’s all-time top wicket takers list across formats.

Most wickets for Pakistan in International matches

• Wasim Akram – 916
• Waqar Younis – 789
• Imran Khan – 544
• Shahid Afridi – 538
• Saqlain Mushtaq – 496
• Saeed Ajmal – 447
• Shoaib Akhtar – 438
• Umar Gul – 427
• Shaheen Afridi – 400*

In 74 ODIs, Shaheen has picked up 139 wickets, while in 103 T20Is, he has taken 136 wickets.

Earlier on day one, he also became the first Pakistani bowler to complete 100 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

Among Pakistan’s leading wicket-takers in the WTC, Afridi stands at the top with 103 wickets, followed by Noman Ali (89), Sajid Khan (63), Naseem Shah (60), Abrar Ahmed (46), Yasir Shah (41), Hasan Ali (35), and Mohammad Abbas (34).

Most wickets for Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship

• Shaheen Afridi – 100*
• Noman Ali – 89
• Sajid Khan – 63
• Naseem Shah – 60
• Abrar Ahmed – 46
• Yasir Shah – 41
• Hasan Ali – 35
• Mohammad Abbas – 34

READ: Australia’s Mitchell Starc aims to feature in World Cup 2027

MIRPUR: Former Pakistan cricketer and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja called Shaheen Afridi a ‘medium pacer’ during the first day of the opening Test match against Bangladesh.

During commentary, Ramiz highlighted Shaheen’s pace and compared him to Bangladesh’s fast bowlers.

“We don’t have pacers like Nahid Rana; we have medium pacers. So far, Shaheen Afridi has looked like a medium pacer,” Raja said.

He also mentioned the struggles that modern-day fast bowlers face in the longer format due to playing too much T20 cricket.

Ramiz’s assessment came after Shaheen struggled for pace, bowling between 125 and 134 km/h during his spells. He eventually finished day one with one wicket to his name while conceding 67 in 19 overs at an economy of 3.52.

Bangladesh showcased a commanding display at the end of the opening day of the first Test. The home side racked up 301 for the loss of four wickets in 85 overs, with Mushfiqur Rahim remaining unbeaten on 48 with the aid of six boundaries. On the other hand, Litton Das held firm, scoring eight not out off 35 deliveries.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The day largely belonged to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who hit a century. He made 101 off 130 balls, striking two sixes and 12 fours. He was well supported by Mominal Haque, who fell short of a century. The left-hander was trapped lbw for 91 by Noman Ali in the dying hours of the day.

The pair arrived at the crease when their side was reduced to 31-2 in the morning session. Both batters shared a mammoth 170-run stand from 257 deliveries, which took the sting out of Pakistan’s three-pronged pace attack.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Abbas picked up one wicket each, while Noman Ali also managed to scalp one.

READ: Shaheen Afridi achieves major milestone in first Bangladesh Test

MIRPUR: Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has set his sights firmly on guiding Pakistan towards the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, stressing that consistency across a demanding Test calendar will be key to achieving that goal.

Speaking ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, the left-arm pacer stressed the importance of consistency, preparation, and adaptability in what he described as a long and challenging Test cycle.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of the Test series. Tests are very important for us, and this is a long Test season for us, perhaps for the first time like this. We are fully prepared and ready to give our best,” Afridi said.

Pakistan are set to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, with the first Test scheduled at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from May 8 to 12, followed by the second in Sylhet from May 16 to 20.

Shaheen acknowledged that home conditions naturally provide an advantage to hosting teams, but emphasised that execution and preparation remain the real deciding factors in Test cricket.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We hope the conditions will be good for us and we will play excellent cricket. Every team is strong in its home conditions, but what matters most is how well you prepare and execute,” he added.

He also underlined Pakistan’s broader ambitions in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, making it clear that the team’s focus extends beyond individual series.

“We are not only focused on this Test series but also on the ICC World Test Championship. Our target is to reach the final, and for that we must play our best cricket consistently,” he stated.

Looking ahead to the upcoming series against Bangladesh, Afridi noted the challenge posed by spin-friendly conditions but insisted Pakistan are well prepared for all scenarios.

“Bangladesh have previously done well on spin-friendly tracks, and every team uses home advantage. We have prepared accordingly, both for spin conditions and for a green wicket, and we are ready for every challenge,” he said.

READ: Ahmedabad to host IPL 2026 final after Bengaluru switch

Lahore Qalandars delivered a heartwarming moment during the Pakistan Super League season 11 by making a young cancer-stricken fan’s dream come true, arranging a special meeting with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The fan, Farzan from Gujranwala’s Qila Didar Singh, has been battling a tumour for the past four years. His emotional video message, in which he expressed his wish to meet Afridi, quickly went viral and caught the attention of the franchise.

“My name is Farzan, and I am a huge fan of Lahore Qalandars. My greatest wish is to meet Shaheen Shah Afridi. Does he have time for me?” he said in the clip that resonated widely across social media.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Touched by the request, the Qalandars invited Farzan to Lahore as a special guest. He watched the team’s clash against Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium, where he finally met his idol and spent time with the players.

Afridi presented the young fan with a signed shirt and cap, while the franchise celebrated his courage, calling him a “special Qalandar” in their social media tribute.

“A very special Qalandar is in the house to support us today. Farzan, who has been fighting cancer for four years, wanted to meet his hero, Shaheen. Today, he got his wish fulfilled,” the post captioned.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars)

Farzan also enjoyed the match from the owners’ enclosure and witnessed Qalandars edge past the Gladiators in a closely fought contest. The franchise later described him as their “lucky charm,” sharing a video of his visit and interaction with the team.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars)

His father expressed gratitude to the management for the gesture and extended his best wishes to the franchise owners, acknowledging the effort made to lift his son’s spirits during a difficult time.

READ: Jude Bellingham buys stake in Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has addressed the five-run penalty over the changing of the condition of the ball in his side’s narrow defeat to Karachi Kings during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 clash at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The incident unfolded just before the final over of the Kings’ run chase, when on-field umpires inspected the ball and ruled that its condition had been altered.

Consequently, Qalandars were handed a five-run penalty, reducing the Kings’ target from 14 runs to just nine in the final six deliveries.

The momentum shift proved decisive, as Abbas Afridi struck a boundary and a six early in the over to guide Karachi Kings to a dramatic four-wicket win.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Shaheen admitted he was unsure about the circumstances surrounding the decision and refrained from making immediate conclusions.

“I don’t know about this [ball tampering], and we will discuss it,” Shaheen said.

“We’ll review the footage and talk about it later. The five-run penalty does hurt, but I can’t say much right now.”

Despite the controversy, the left-arm pacer reflected positively on his team’s overall effort, particularly highlighting the competitive nature of the contest.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“It was actually a good game. We tried our best and fought till the last ball, which is what we expect from ourselves,” he said.

“Both teams were in a similar position. A total of around 120 is usually chased comfortably, but the way our bowlers fought showed the effort from the side.”

Shaheen Afridi also dismissed suggestions of a psychological disadvantage against Karachi Kings, who extended their head-to-head lead over Lahore with the victory.

“There is no mental block. My team fought till the final ball, and that’s what matters to me,” he concluded.

READ: Karachi Kings edge Lahore Qalandars in low-scoring thriller

LAHORE: Quetta Gladiators captain Saud Shakeel has clarified remarks he made about Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf during a recent podcast.

A few weeks earlier, Saud appeared on a podcast in which he was asked which of three bowlers — Khurram Shehzad, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf—he would play, retire, or bench if he were the national selector.

“I will play Khurram, retire Shaheen, and bench Rauf,” Pakistan Test vice-captain had replied.

The remarks soon gained traction, with people sharing different opinions about the duo.

Ahead of PSL 11’s start, Saud said his comments were made in a light-hearted manner and were not intended seriously.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“The podcast was done in a funny way, but it was presented as something serious,” he said.

Saud has played alongside both pacers. The two have recently been in the spotlight following inconsistent performances: Rauf was dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Shaheen had a below-par campaign.

Saud has played alongside Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Both pacers have been in the spotlight following inconsistent performances. Rauf was dropped from the Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Shaheen had an underwhelming campaign.

This will be the second year in a row that Saud will lead the Quetta Gladiators side.

Last season, Quetta Gladiators were outplayed in the final by Lahore Qalandars, thanks to Sikandar Raza’s heroics.

The PSL 11 will begin on March 26 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.  Quetta Gladiators will open their campaign against Karachi Kings on March 27 at the same venue.

READ: Five uncapped Pakistan players to watch out for in PSL 11

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has suggested that star duo Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi should take a break from cricket to regain their form.

Azhar, who played 97 Tests and 53 ODIs for Pakistan, shared his views on both players during the ‘Sports Room’ Eid Special programme.

During the show, Azhar was asked a series of questions in rapid-fire round.  When the host sought his advice for Babar and Shaheen, he suggested that both take time off from international cricket.

“Babar should take a six-month break from international cricket,” he said.

“He [Shaheen] should also take three months’ rest so that he gathers his fitness. I feel that if he takes two or three months break, he will be a great bowler,” he added.

The host then asked what suggestion you would give to [Director of the High Performance Center] Aqib Javed after a recent press conference. Azhar said that he should keep focusing on achieving his key objectives regarding academies.

‘He [Shaheen] should also take three months’ rest. I feel that if he takes rest, he would be a great bowler.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The 41-year-old was also asked to pick the better captain among Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Babar Azam.

”Babar [Azam],” he replied.

For the unversed, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have been in the spotlight due to their underwhelming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The leading run scorer in T20Is managed only 91 runs in six matches, averaging 22.75 with 46 his highest score.

As a result, he was not picked in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. However, Aqib Javed later revealed that the batter was not fit for the mega event.

Meanwhile, Shaheen took eight wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 10.52.

READ: WATCH: Pakistan cricketers share Eid-ul-Fitr greetings

DHAKA: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi addressed questions over the exclusion of key players Babar Azam and Saim Ayub from the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, set to begin tomorrow at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

All three ODIs, scheduled for March 11, 13, and 15, will be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference on Tuesday, Afridi stressed that no one has been “dropped” and that the selections are aimed at testing bench strength and giving opportunities to emerging talent.

“Look, no one has been dropped for this series. We just wanted to give our youngsters a chance to show their skills,” Afridi explained.

“They are our future, and this series against Bangladesh is the perfect opportunity for them to understand their roles ahead of bigger events like the World Cup next year.”

The Pakistan squad for the series features six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Afridi confirmed that Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain will make their ODI debuts, with Farhan and Sadaqat opening the innings and Hussain at one-down.

Addressing the expected challenges in Dhaka, Shaheen Afridi highlighted that Pakistan’s strength lies in its pace attack and downplayed the idea of relying heavily on spinners, referencing the West Indies’ spin-heavy strategy at the same venue during an ODI in October 2025.

“This will not be happening. Pakistan is known for fast bowling. I will back our pacers to take wickets, while the spinners will contribute and play their role in the win,” he said.

Afridi also acknowledged Bangladesh’s home advantage but expressed confidence in Pakistan’s preparations.

“Any team is tough in their own conditions. Bangladesh plays very good cricket at home, and we have prepared accordingly,” he added.

“Our recent ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka have been encouraging, and we want to continue that momentum.”

READ: Shaheen Afridi confirms three debutants in first ODI against Bangladesh

DHAKA: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has confirmed that the Green Shirts will field three debutants in the first ODI of their three-match series against Bangladesh, set to be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, March 11.

Pakistan dropped senior players like Babar Azam and Saim Ayub for the series, giving a platform to several promising talents.

The squad for the series includes six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference on Tuesday, Afridi revealed that Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain will make their international ODI debuts.

Farhan and Sadaqat are set to open the innings, while Hussain will bat at one-down.

“Sahibzada [Farhan] ofcourse he has been a top performer in T20Is as well as List A domestic cricket in Pakistan. Maaz Sadaqat will also open the innings, and Shamyl Hussain will bat at one down,” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“I hope that they play their own [natural] game and show their skills. We, as a team, are very excited to see them play.”

The captain highlighted that familiarity with local conditions will be an advantage for the debutants.

“Sahibzada has played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Maaz has also played here. So it should feel like just another game for them. I hope they play their best cricket and express themselves,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi was also asked about Pakistan’s bowling combination and the potential inclusion of Saad Masood, given the spin-friendly nature of Dhaka pitches.

“Only 11 players can play, so we will decide according to the team requirement and pitch conditions. We have one more practice session today, after which the final playing XI will be announced,” he stated.

READ: Pakistan-Bangladesh ODI series trophy unveiled in Dhaka

KANDY: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi admitted that his side’s failure to stitch together a meaningful partnership cost them dearly in their two-wicket defeat to England in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.

In a high-intensity contest at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan posted 164-9 after being put in to bat.

England, however, chased down the target in the final over despite losing eight wickets, riding on a superb century from skipper Harry Brook.

Afridi, who produced a fiery spell of 4-30 and removed the well-set Brook, was left to ponder what might have been.

The left-arm pacer believed Pakistan fell short primarily due to their inability to build momentum through the middle overs.

“I feel on a wicket like this you need a partnership and a set batter who can bat through the middle overs,” Afridi said after the match.

“But unfortunately, we lost wickets back to back, which is why we did not reach that 180-190 score.”

Pakistan’s innings never quite found stability. Several batters got starts, but none were able to convert them into a commanding stand.

The middle order, in particular, struggled to rotate strike regularly against a disciplined England attack.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Shaheen Afridi pointed to the importance of maintaining a steady flow of singles and twos, a factor he felt England executed far better.

“If you see, when England batted, Harry Brook stayed at the crease. He was rotating the strike and building partnerships. I think we missed that opportunity,” he said.

“A partnership means you need someone at the crease who can take singles and twos. In a T20 innings, you need eight or nine runs an over consistently if you want to build partnerships.”

The surface at Pallekele was noticeably fresher compared to the one used in England’s previous outing against Sri Lanka, offering better conditions for stroke play. In hindsight, Pakistan’s total of 164 appeared slightly under par.

Shaheen Afridi also credited England leg-spinner Adil Rashid for tightening the screws during the middle phase.

“I think that middle phase, Adil Rashid bowled really well, so credit goes to him as well,” he added.

Despite Afridi’s impressive four-wicket haul, Pakistan were left to rue a missed opportunity as England sealed qualification to the semi-finals.

For Pakistan, the defeat has left their campaign hanging by a thread, with little room for further error in the tournament.

READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan’s semi-final qualification scenario explained