KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and the star all-rounder Shahid Afridi has backed the 2017 Champions Trophy winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed to be given the chance if his counterpart Mohammad Rizwan gets rested for the upcoming home series against West Indies.
While speaking on a local news show about Pakistan’s upcoming home series against a depleted West Indian side, Afridi claimed that Sarfaraz deserves a chance if Rizwan is rested.
In response to a question from the hosts about Rizwan’s workload and the opportunity for Pakistan to test their bench strength, Afridi endorsed former captain Sarfaraz and called him the second-best viable alternative.
“Sarfaraz should be given a chance if the selection committee selects him for the series. If Rizwan is rested and Sarfaraz is in the squad then I believe Sarfaraz deserves to play,” Afridi said.
“Sarfaraz is the second-best choice in my opinion, and if he is a member of the squad, he should be given the opportunity first. I believe we should treat a player with this level of respect,” he added.
Afridi also opined about the possibility of young wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris making his ODI debut and being the second wicket-keeping option for Pakistan after Rizwan by saying “It is too early for Haris.”
“Why are we in such a hurry for Haris? Let him play,” Afridi concluded.
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KARACHI: Danish Kaneria, a former Pakistani leg-spinner, has called the star all-rounder Shahid Afridi a liar and accused him of mistreatment during his time with the national team.
Kaneria, during an interview with an Indian Newswire – Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), accused that the then Pakistani captain Shahid was against him and used to go to the teammates to conspire against the former.
“I was always degraded by Shahid Afridi. We used to play together for the same department, he used to keep me on the bench and didn’t let me play the one-day tournament,” the IANS quoted Kaneria.
“He didn’t want me to be in the team. He was a liar, manipulator… because he’s a characterless person. However, my focus was only on cricket and I used to ignore all these tactics. Shahid Afridi was the only person who would go to other players and provoke them against me. I was performing well and he was jealous of me. I am proud that I played for Pakistan. I was grateful,” IANS further quoted Kaneria.
Kaneria then requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), to lift the ban in spite of him not even playing any international cricket.
“There are several fixers who got out of the ban. I don’t know why I am not able to get that treatment. I have played for my country and I should be given a chance like others as well. Now I am not even playing any international cricket. I am not asking the PCB for any job, but please lift this ban so that I can live peacefully and do my work with respect,” Kaneria concluded.
It must be noted here that Kaneria has made several accusations in the past and is known for his rift with the PCB for the alleged mistreatment of him.
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KARACHI: Shahid Afridi, the founder of the Shahid Afridi Foundation and a former Pakistan all-rounder, has announced the launch of the Mega Stars League (MSL), which will take place in September this year.
Shahid, while talking at a press conference alongside legendary cricketers Inzamam ul Haq, Waqar Younus, and Mushtaq Ahmed, unveiled the details about the upcoming league, which will be played in T10 format. According to the star all-rounder, the purpose of the MSL is to financially support the former cricketers, athletes, and sports journalists.
“Mega Star League is an entertaining league, which is scheduled to be played in September in Rawalpindi this year. The core idea behind introducing this league is to financially support the ex-cricketers, athletes, and sports journalists,” he said.
“The MSL will feature six teams, and foreign players will also take part in the upcoming league,” he added.
The star all-rounder further commented about the departmental cricket and claimed that everyone is missing departmental cricket.
“I think everyone is missing the departmental cricket and also whatever the new system be, it should get a chance to stay functional for long,” he concluded.
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LONDON: Pakistan’s great all-rounder Shahid Afridi spoke out about the possibility of him getting involved in practical politics, saying that he can’t claim he won’t be involved in politics in the future, on Thursday.
Shahid, in an exclusive interview here, said that he knows the politics of service and will continue to do the same.
“The only politics I know is the politics of service and I will continue to do so,” he said.
“I can’t proclaim I won’t participate in practical politics in future, and if I say I won’t and then show up, people will accuse me of making a U-turn,” he added.
The star all-rounder further opined about the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and revealed that two new franchises will join the league.
“KPL will feature two more franchises and I think the fans are taking the league positively,” he said.
“Talent has emerged from KPL which became part of Pakistan Super League [PSL] and they will also become part of the national team in future,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shahid is currently the brand ambassador of KPL and is likely to be seen in action in the next edition of the premier league.
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KARACHI: Shaheen Shah Afridi stolen the limelight with his batting, smashing 22 off last over against Peshawar Zalmi to tie the last group match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7.
Not only his thrilling batting, but his celebration style also reminded fans of Shahid Khan Afridi’s era.
Here’s how fans described and compared Shaheen with Shahid.
https://twitter.com/mahanoortweets1/status/1495827712291885056
https://twitter.com/LuqmanA87962796/status/1495840222420127747
https://twitter.com/zaidtunio/status/1495841245410775048
Last year, Shaheen took jersey number ’10’ known for Shahid. The former all-rounder gave special permission to him. Also last year, Shaheen’s family sent his marriage proposal for Shahid’s daughter, which was confirmed by the cricketer himself on Twitter.
“Shaheen’s family approached my family for my daughter. Both families are in touch, matches are made in heaven, if Allah wills this match will be made too. My prayers are with Shaheen for his continued success on and off the field,” Shahid wrote in his Tweet.
KARACHI: Former flamboyant international all-rounder Shahid Khan Afridi highly praised legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram after he was added to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s Hall of Fame.
Taking to Twitter, Afridi appreciated PCB for honoring legends with Hall of Fame. “This is an incredible recognition & award for an incredible legend! Wasim Akram was one of my heroes and it was an honour playing with him. I owe so much of my success as a cricketer to Wasim Bhai. Good job PCB in recognising the services of an all-time great,” he wrote.
It must be noted here that Akram received Hall of Fame from former West Indian great, Vivian Richards during Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 on February 20.
LAHORE: Pakistan’s star all-rounder – Shahid Afridi, who was representing Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, has decided to opt out of the remainder of the mega event; citing his health.
Taking to his YouTube channel, the veteran all-rounder announced that he will not be taking part further in the PSL 7.
Afridi, while announcing his retirement claimed that he wanted to end the mega event on a high but his health and fitness is not allowing the 41-years-old to play further.
“I wanted to end the PSL on a good note but my endurance is over. My groin, waist and toes have all given up,” he said.
“I am also suffering from a lower back injury for quite a long now and I think health is everything,” he added.
Afridi while announcing his decision thanked the owner of his franchise team – Nadeem Omar for respecting his decision, while also thanked his fans for their immense support throughout his career.
” I would like to Nadeem Omar and also apologize to him as I will not be able to play the remainder of the PSL,” he said.
“I also thank my fans for supporting me, also I was playing my last PSL for my fans,” he added.
It is worth mentioning here that Afridi has already announced that the ongoing PSL 7 will be the last of his career. The star all-rounder played 53 matches in the PSL and took 47 wickets at an average of 26.51 in his career, alongside compiling 459 runs at a strike rate of 150.8.
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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain – Shahid Afridi, who is currently representing Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, praised Jason Roy’s magnificent 116-runs knock against Lahore Qalandars.
Taking to Twitter, Afridi heaped praises on the astonishing knock which steered the Gladiators to the victory in the 15th match of the PSL 7.
“I have seen some amazing innings in the PSL, but nothing compares to what [Jason Roy] delivered for us,” the star all-rounder wrote.
Roy, who played his first match of the PSL 7 last night, stormed himself into the record book as the batter smashed the second-fastest century of the PSL. He took just 49 balls to reach the triple-figures.
In his astonishing inning, the right-handed batter smashed 11 boundaries and eight sixes. He also scored the third-highest individual score of the PSL history; scoring 116, led by the then Karachi Kings’ batter – Colin Ingram, who scored an unbeaten 127 against the Gladiators.
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KARACHI: Pakistan’s star all-rounder – Shahid Afridi, and English explosive opening batter – Jason Roy, have joined Quetta Gladiators’ training session, here at National Stadium today.
The Gladiators held a practice session for their fifth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 against Lahore Qalandars.
Shahid, who requested the Gladiators’ management for rest during his team’s training session yesterday, has now rejoined the squad for today’s training session. Whereas, Roy has also joined the side after the completion of his quarantine period.
The two cricketers will also be available for selection for the Gladiators’ upcoming clash with Lahore Qalandars tomorrow.
It is worth mentioning here that the 2019 champions have so far played four matches in this year’s PSL and could only manage to win one game.
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KARACHI: Former champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – Quetta Gladiators announced that the star all-rounder Shahid Afridi will be available for selection for the side’s fixture tonight against Islamabad United.
The star all-rounder, who was out of action due to COVID-19 has now joined the training camp of the 2019 champions. According to the franchise, Shahid will now be available for selection for tonight’s clash with the United.
Furthermore, the English batter – James Vince will also be available for tonight’s match, while his countryman Jason Roy will be available after the completion of the mandatory isolation period.
On the other hand, the mentor of the Gladiators Sir Vivian Richards will be present in the team’s dugout in tonight’s match.
It is worth mentioning here that the Gladiators have played three matches so far in PSL 7 and could only manage to win one game.
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