Tag: Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi on Monday, reacted to the reports regarding a “major surgery” of the national men’s team following their dismal run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The left-arm pacer interacted with the media in London and was asked to opine on a “major surgery” expected in the national team’s setup.

“Whose surgery, Is somebody ill?” asked Shaheen.

“Keep me out of politics. Please ask questions related to cricket,” he insisted.

The pacer then claimed that he did not know about any potential change in the team.

 

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Shaheen Afridi also commented on India winning the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2024 after beating South Africa in a nerve-testing final and termed them a deserved winner.

“I watched the match and enjoyed it and both the teams played well. On the day whichever team handles the pressure wins. India played a good brand of cricket and deserved to win,” Shaheen Afridi told reporters.

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The left-arm pacer then acknowledged the need to address the shortcomings of the team following their early exit from the mega event.

“Strong teams compete in the World Cup and they come after going through a process. I think we need to correct few things and if we work hard, results will be with us,” Afridi said.

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan team is in hot water following their dismal run in the T20 World Cup 2024.

The 2009 champions, in a first, were knocked out from the group stage of the tournament, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats had put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament while the abandonment of the crucial group-stage fixture between USA and Ireland officially marked the end of their campaign in T20 World Cup 2024.

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Pakistan’s fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has expressed his determination to win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, after falling short in the last two editions.

Afridi was part of Pakistan’s squad that reached the semi-final and final of the 2021 and 2022 World Cups respectively.

The 24-year-old pacer during a recent appearance on PCB Podcast, also opened up about the team dynamics and denied any disharmony or rift within the team.

“Sometimes, small disagreements happen in every family, even among brothers. But there’s nothing like that in our team,” Afridi said.

He also emphasized that the Pakistan team is at a crucial juncture with the mega-event approaching, and the players are focused on giving their best for the team.

“Our aim is to play with unity, and this is not the time for arguments or disputes; it’s the time for everyone to be on the same page,” he added.

Talking about his own form and fitness, the star pacer shared that he is fit and committed to lifting the coveted trophy for Pakistan.

“Mood is also good and fitness is also good. I am ready and hopeful that we will win the T20 World Cup,” Shaheen Afridi remarked.

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He also opened up about his conversation with newly appointed white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, who is set to join the team in England on May 19.

“Gary Kirsten told me, ‘Don’t play for the name on the back of your shirt, but for the name on the front of the shirt,'” he added.

Pakistan team is currently gearing up for the four-match T20I series against England,, starting from May 22.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan.

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DUBLIN: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi presented special jerseys to white-ball captain Babar Azam and pace bowler Shaheen Afridi for their recent achievements here on Sunday.

Both players received the jerseys after Pakistan’s crushing seven-wicket victory over Ireland in the second T20I to level the three-match series 1-1.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi presented special jerseys to @babarazam258 and @iShaheenAfridi to celebrate their recent achievements.

Babar achieved the most wins as a T20I captain, while Shaheen completed his 300 international wickets during the second T20I.#IREvPAK |… pic.twitter.com/6pphKVVD8B

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 12, 2024

With the victory over Ireland, Babar Azam became the most successful captain in T20I history with 45 wins, surpassing Uganda’s Brian Masaba (44). Azam has led Pakistan in 78 matches since assuming the role in 2019.

Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi achieved the significant milestone of taking 300 wickets in international cricket. Ireland captain Paul Stirling became his 300th wicket during the second T20I.

The 24-year-old is also the fifth youngest bowler to achieve the milestone.

He has represented Pakistan in 145 matches across formats since making his international debut in 2018. He took 113 wickets in Test cricket, 104 in ODI and 84 in T20I.

Notably, Pakistan opted to bowl first in the second T20I and Afridi removed both openers in the fourth over to reduce Ireland to 34-2.

However, Lorcan Tucker played brilliant innings of 51 runs from 34 balls, featuring five boundaries and two sixes, while Gareth Delany scored a quick 28 off 10 to propel Ireland to 193 in their allocated 20 overs.

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Pakistan successfully chased the 194-run target with 19 balls to spare, courtesy of Mohammad Rizwan and Fakkhar Zaman’s half-centuries.

They constructed a 140-run partnership in 78 balls to tilt the game in Pakistan’s favour after Saim Ayub (6) and Babar Azam (0) fell early.

Rizwan scored an unbeaten 75 off 46, featuring six boundaries and four sixes, while Zaman was dismissed after scoring 78 runs from 40 balls.

Azam Khan was another notable contributor with an unbeaten 30 off 10 with four sixes. He hit Mark Adair for three sixes in the 17th over to finish the match in style.

The third and decisive T20I between Pakistan and Ireland will be played on 14 May (tomorrow).

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, unveiled the nominees for the Player of the Month Award for April 2024, including star Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi.

The ICC Player of the Month award acknowledges the magnificent individual performers on the international stage in April.

Along with Afridi, the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month also include inspirational Namibia skipper Gerhard Erasmus and United Arab Emirates (UAE) hard-hitting batter Muhammad Waseem.

The Pakistan pace spearhead had a successful month, during which he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the home T20I series against New Zealand with eight wickets.

Afridi picked the only wicket in the rain-affected first match of the series, followed by a brilliant performance in the second match, taking 3-13 to help bundle New Zealand out for just 90.

Meanwhile, in the last match of the series, he claimed 4-30 to finish the series on high, earning the Player of the Series award.

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On the other hand, Erasmus gave exceptional contributions with both bat and ball during the five-match T20I series against Oman.

Erasmus scored 58 off 56 and followed it up with bowling figures of 3-7 in the second match, which they lost by a narrow six-run margin.

However, he saved his best for the defining final match of the series, leading his team to clinch the series. He smashed six sixes during his quickfire innings of 64 runs from 29 balls, followed by two wickets with the bowl.

The third nominee, Waseem earned his nomination on the back of his impressive showing during the ACC Premier Cup, where he scored his third T20I century.

The 30-year-old played innings of 65, 45 and 48 in consecutive matches before he notched a hundred during UAE’s 55-run victory against Oman.

He scored 100 off 56 with the help of six fours and a whopping seven sixes.

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From master blaster Shahid Afridi to wicket-knocking Shaheen Shah Afridi, many former and current cricketers from Pakistan have pledged their support for the touring London cricket team.

The theme of their tour is “Love for Club Cricket,” as they hope their tour will ignite more passion and competitiveness at the club level.

Cricket is the number one sport in Pakistan and to say this about the United Kingdom (Great Britain) must be an understatement.

The British were the pioneers of the game and they have made it pervasive to an extent that now more than 100 countries play the game globally.

The pace giant Waqar Younis led the good wishes for the London CC. “I wish London boys the best of luck. Pakistan is the best place for cricket, enjoy the visit,” was Waqar’s message for the tour.

Pakistan’s pace sensation Shaheen said he was praying for the best results on the tour. “My best wishes and prayers for London Cricketers CC.. play good cricket and enjoy the tour,” was what Shaheen had to say.

Former England batting great David Gower advised the London Club to enjoy the tour to the hilt.

“You are going to Pakistan for a tour, so that should be the most fantastic experience. I have been there a couple of times, in fact, a couple of times in the last few years as well, and I tell you straight away that this is the most welcoming county,” said Gower.

“They love their cricket and the hospitality is always outstanding. There is so much to enjoy when you go to Pakistan; the culture, the food, the people, everything is there to be experienced.

“All the venues are great. So the trick is this: play as well as you can, that’s always a given on a cricket tour but, look, enjoy the hospitality, the people and the country and it will be the most magnificent experience.”

The British High Commissioner in Pakistan Jane Marrotte has also pitched the tour as a “wonderful opportunity” for the London Club.

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“No doubt that you are going to have a wonderful trip in this peaceful and diverse country,” said Jane Marrotte in a message.

“The UK and Pakistan share a love for cricket that strengthens our friendship. Your visit is excellently timed ahead of Pakistan’s women and Men touring the UK for international matches in May.

“As you tour a country you will find Pakistan hospitality unmatched. I hope you will share these stories when you are back in the UK… wishing you the best of luck.”

The 22-man squad is led by an affable person in Irfan Akram. Those who have toured England with the Pakistan cricket team are familiar with Irfan.

He is the perennial liaison officer for the Pakistan team, showing an infectious smile all the time during his coordination and working out various matters for Team Green.

The squad played a match against Aleem Dar Academy at Aleem Dar Cricket Ground on April 14 while the next day’s opponents were the famous P&T Gymkhana on the next day (April 15).

The matches against Azhar Ali Academy and Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy are scheduled for April 17.

The visiting players will also go to Sialkot where a match will be played against the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry team.

A match against Hasan Raza Cricket Academy in Islamabad is also a part of the program. They will also play in Abbottabad and Murree on this tour.

The team that is visiting Pakistan includes Haris Usman, Abdullah Akbar, Zoraid Saeed, Herath Wajid, Sahar Akbar, Faheem Aziz, Stephen Ramidal, Zain Shehzad, Soha Iqbal, Jan Sher Akbar, Irfan Akram, Haris Raza, Hasan Ali Iqbal, Ehsan Shah, Anthony Smith, Scott Emmons, Shahid Akbar, Adnan Akram and Dave Ramidel.

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Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq recently opened up about the recent change in Pakistan’s T20I leadership, which saw Babar Azam replacing Shaheen Afridi as captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming home T20I series against New Zealand.

Misbah-ul-Haq expressed his concerns about the way the captaincy change was managed, describing it as an unpleasant process.

“The process of changing captain in Pakistan is extremely unpleasant and this affects the players and the team,” the former captain remarked while talking to media in Lahore.

The former head coach emphasized that Babar Azam was previously removed as captain in the wrong way, and now the same has happened with Shaheen Afridi.

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“Babar was removed from captaincy in the wrong manner and so was Shaheen Afridi. Both are our star players and my best wishes are with the team and I hope they perform well.”

For the unversed, Afridi succeeded Babar Azam as the T20I captain of the national team, following their dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

However, the left-arm pacer had a short tenure as captain, during which Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat to New Zealand in the only series under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Afridi sent a stern warning on Friday through his Instagram account, following his removal as the T20I captain of the national team.

Afridi posted a cryptic message on his official Instagram account, warning that if his patience was tested, he might reveal a different side of himself.

“Never ever put me in a position where I have to show you how cruel and ruthless I can be. Don’t test my patience. Because I might be the kindest and sweetest person you’ve ever met, but once I reach my limit, you’ll see me do the things that no one thought I was capable of doing,” the story reads.

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Babar Azam replaced Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s T20I captain on Sunday as the star batter once again assumed charge as the white-ball captain ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Afridi succeeded Babar Azam as the T20I captain of the national team, following their dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

However, the left-arm pacer had a short tenure as captain, during which Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat to New Zealand in the only series under his leadership.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi once again opened up on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s removal as T20I captain, stating that he always tried to keep the pacer away from the role.

“I want Shaheen to focus on his own cricket,” stated Afridi, adding that the pacer did not need his advice against accepting captaincy of Lahore Qalandars.

“I always tried to keep Shaheen away from captaincy,” Afridi added.

The former captain then backed his statement with a claim that many former captains, including himself had a dismal end to their reigns.

Earlier this week, Shahid Afridi revealed that he was surprised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decision to change a captain ahead of the T20 World Cup.

He also backed wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan to be the best choice for the role.

“I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice!,” said Afridi in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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However, he said, that he extended full support to Babar Azam after his reappointment as the white-ball captain.

“Since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam,” Shahid Afridi added.

Notably, Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure as Pakistan captain will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

The star batter had previously led Pakistan in white-ball cricket from 2019 to 2023 before stepping down following the team’s dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

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Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood recently shared his thoughts on Babar Azam replacing Shaheen Afridi as T20I captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

PCB officially announced Babar Azam’s appointment as captain on their social media accounts.

“Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain. Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” the PCB posted.

Shan Masood believes that the new management took the decision with a plan involving the workload management of Shaheen Afridi.

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“There’s a new set-up that’s come in, a new selection committee, and you always have a plan,” stated Masood.

“And they saw a certain plan and we saw through the explanation that they probably want Shaheen Afridi to be rested as well. Because we lost Naseem Shah last year just before the World Cup which proved to be very costly to Pakistan,” he added.

The left-handed batter also emphasized the need for team unity despite the changes in leadership.

“I think for us as players we’ve got a common goal of making sure the Pakistan team does well. Whoever is leading it, everyone is behind them and ready to put in a good shift for them,” he added.

Babar Azam’s first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

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Former captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to PCB’s decision to reappoint Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of Pakistan.

The former allrounder called for appointing batter Muhammad Rizwan as the captain of the national side following the sacking of Shaheen Afridi.

“I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice!,” said Afridi in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

However, he said, that he extended full support to Babar Azam after his reappointment as the white-ball captain.

“Since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam,” Shahid Afridi added.

I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 31, 2024

PCB on Sunday reinstated Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the national team ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

PCB officially announced Babar Azam’s appointment as captain on their social media accounts. “Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain,” the PCB posted.

“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.”

His first assignment during his second tenure will be a five-match home T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18 in Rawalpindi.

The star batter had previously led Pakistan in white-ball cricket from 2019 to 2023 before stepping down following the team’s dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

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