Tag: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has congratulated Shan Masood on his appointment as PCB’s Consultant for International Cricket and Players’ Affairs, calling it a great choice and praising the board for making “thoughtful and forward-looking” decisions.

The all-rounder took to social media and shared his views on the decision.

Congratulations to Shaan Masood on being appointed as the International Director of PCB, a great choice,” he wrote on X.

He suggested that wicket-keeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed should be a strong candidate to lead domestic cricket, praising the decision.

“I recommend, Sarfaraz Ahmed would be an excellent fit to lead domestic cricket. Only cricketers truly understand the challenges and needs of their fellow players, these roles couldn’t be in better hands. Great to see PCB making thoughtful and forward-looking decisions for Pakistan cricket,” he wrote.

Earlier today, PCB named Test skipper Shan Masood as the Consultant for International Cricket and Players’ Affairs.

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However, the PCB announcement press release did not indicate if Shan would remain as captain while taking on the new role.

The decision came after the board had advertised for the Director of International Cricket Operations following Usman Wahla’s resignation from the role.

The designation is newly created and encompasses the responsibilities previously advertised under the Director, International Cricket Operations role.

As per the PCB’s advertisement, the director’s role involves numerous responsibilities, including planning and organizing international cricket events and preparing and finalizing MOUs for home and overseas tours of Pakistan’s national, Shaheens, U-19, U-16, and emerging teams.

“The role also involves preparing for ICC meetings on cricket-related matters and developing logistics and tournament budgets. The director will oversee negotiations, contract execution, and itinerary planning for FTP tours and all formats of matches,” the advertisement read.

Till now, Shan Masood has played 44 Tests, 9 ODIs, and 19 T20Is for Pakistan, having made his international debut against South Africa in 2013.

Overall, he has captained Pakistan in 14 matches so far, winning only four and losing 10. His most recent stint as skipper came against South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

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DUBAI: Left-handed batter Saim Ayub on Thursday surpassed former captain Shahid Afridi’s record with a duck during the Pakistan-Bangladesh clash in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash.

Saim’s poor run with the bat continued as he was removed on the fourth delivery of the second over, caught by Rishad Hossain at mid-on after hitting a flighted delivery from Mahedi Hasan.

The 24-year-old has so far had a horror run with the bat. Previously, he recorded duck in the Green Shirts group stage fixtures against Oman, arch-rivals India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Notably, this duck was his fourth in the Asia Cup 2025 and the eighth overall in T20 internationals, surpassing former captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi for the most ducks by a Pakistani batsman in this format.

The record is still held by out-of-favor middle-order batter Umar Akmal.

Meanwhile, star players Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Kamran Akmal are tied for fourth place on this undesirable list, each having seven ducks.

Most ducks for Pakistan in T20Is

Umar Akmal – 10 ducks in 84 matches
Saim Ayub – 8 ducks in 47 matches
Shahid Afridi – 8 ducks in 98 matches
Kamran Akmal – 7 ducks in 58 matches
Mohammad Hafeez – 7 ducks in 119 matches
Babar Azam – 7 ducks in 128 matches

Notably, earlier in the tournament, Saim Ayub also became the 62nd batter in men’s T20Is to bag three consecutive ducks, featuring compatriots Mohammad Hafeez and Abdullah Shafique.

Abdullah is at the top of the unwanted list with four consecutive ducks in the shortest format.

Moreover, he is now at the top of the list of most ducks in the T20Is tournament in full member nations.

Most ducks in a Men’s T20I tournament for Full Member nations

4 – Saim Ayub, Asia Cup 2025

3 – Mashrafe Mortaza, Asia Cup 2016

3 – Andre Fletcher, T20 World Cup 2009

3 – Hasan Nawaz, v NZ 2024/25

3 – Tanzid Hasan, T20 World Cup 2024

3 – Regis Chakabva, T20 World Cup 2022

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DUBAI: Pakistan opener Saim Ayub endured yet another nightmare outing at the Asia Cup 2025, falling for a two-ball duck against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The 24-year-old left-hander, who had already registered golden ducks against Oman and India earlier in the tournament, was dismissed in identical fashion to his previous failures.

Facing Junaid Siddique in the opening over, Ayub attempted to cut a short and wide delivery but could only find Muhammad Rohid at deep third, leaving Pakistan rocked early in their must-win clash.

This dismissal carried a grim milestone. It marked Ayub’s eighth duck in T20 internationals, placing him level with former captain and iconic all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Pakistan’s all-time list of most ducks in the format.

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Umar Akmal tops the chart with 10, while Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Kamran Akmal are tied on seven.

Most T20I Ducks for Pakistan:

• Umar Akmal – 10 in 84 matches
• Shahid Afridi – 8 in 98 matches
• Saim Ayub – 8 in 44 matches
• Kamran Akmal – 7 in 58 matches
• Mohammad Hafeez – 7 in 119 matches
• Babar Azam – 7 in 128 matches

Adding to the unwanted tally, Ayub also became the 62nd batter in men’s T20I history to record three consecutive ducks.

He joins compatriots Mohammad Hafeez and Abdullah Shafique in this category, with Abdullah holding the dubious record of four in a row.

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PESHAWAR: Cricket fans are in for a treat as Babar Azam’s Zalmi XI are taking on Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Legends XI in the much-anticipated Flood Relief Exhibition Match at the Imran Khan Stadium here on Saturday.

Earlier, Legends XI have won the toss and elected to field first against Zalmi XI in the Flood Relief Exhibition Cricket Match.

Squads

Legends XI: Inzamam-ul-Haq (c), Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mehmood, Humayun Farhat, Saeed Ajmal, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Umaid Asif, Abdur Rehman, Waqar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Nisar Afridi, Aimal Khan, Mohammad Salman.

Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (c), Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Israrullah, Salman Khan, Azan Afridi, Mohammad Irfan, Zulifqar Babar, Ihsanullah, Amir Barki, Nisar Ali, Imran Jr., Qasim Saeed.

The charity fixture, organized in collaboration with the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provincial government, is underway under the slogan “Khel Se Khidmat” (Service through Sports).

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All proceeds from ticket sales are being directed towards flood relief and rehabilitation projects in the province.

Since the monsoon began in late June, devastating floods have affected several regions of Pakistan, with the death toll crossing 800.

In light of this tragedy, Peshawar Zalmi and a Legends XI side are facing off today in a high-profile charity clash, uniting current stars and former greats on the field for a cause that stretches far beyond cricket.

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PESHAWAR: Legends XI have won the toss and elected to field first against Zalmi XI in the Flood Relief Exhibition Cricket Match here at the Imran Khan Stadium on Saturday.

Squads

Legends XI: Inzamam-ul-Haq (c), Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mehmood, Humayun Farhat, Saeed Ajmal, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Umaid Asif, Abdur Rehman, Waqar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Nisar Afridi, Aimal Khan, Mohammad Salman.

WATCH: Flood Relief Exhibition Match in Peshawar: Zalmi XI vs Legends XI

Zalmi XI: Babar Azam (c), Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Israrullah, Salman Khan, Azan Afridi, Mohammad Irfan, Zulifqar Babar, Ihsanullah, Amir Barki, Nisar Ali, Imran Jr., Qasim Saeed.

The charity fixture, organized in collaboration with the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provincial government, is underway under the slogan “Khel Se Khidmat” (Service through Sports).

All proceeds from ticket sales are being directed towards flood relief and rehabilitation projects in the province.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Since the monsoon began in late June, devastating floods have affected several regions of Pakistan, with the death toll crossing 800.

In light of this tragedy, Peshawar Zalmi and a Legends XI side are facing off today in a high-profile charity clash, uniting current stars and former greats on the field for a cause that stretches far beyond cricket.

READ: Former captain questions Pakistan’s careless batting against Afghanistan

Some of Pakistan’s biggest cricketing names, including Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar, will take the field in the upcoming Flood Relief Exhibition Match organised by Peshawar Zalmi in support of victims of the recent floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The fixture, scheduled for August 30 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium, is being staged under the slogan “Khel Se Khidmat” (Service through Sports) in collaboration with the Directorate General of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provincial government.

The 22-member roster boasts a mix of current stars and legendary figures.

Alongside Afridi, Younis, and Akhtar, the lineup features Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rashid Latif, and Azhar Ali.

Former fast-bowling greats Waqar Younis and Mohammad Irfan, as well as all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, are also set to participate.

Fans can also expect a stellar spin department with Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Abdul Rehman, and Zulfiqar Babar among those confirmed.

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Peshawar Zalmi will take on Legends XI in what promises to be one of the most high-profile charity fixtures seen in recent years.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go directly towards flood relief and rehabilitation efforts across the province.

Zalmi Chairman Javed Afridi said the initiative reflects cricket’s power to unite in times of crisis.

“This is more than just a match – it is our duty to stand with those affected. Cricket has always been a unifying force, and through this event, we aim to turn passion into meaningful support,” he said.

Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Syed Fakhar Jahan praised the initiative, calling it “a reflection of empathy and solidarity with those who have suffered due to the floods.”

Organisers expect the event to draw a full house, with fans not only witnessing a rare gathering of cricket icons but also contributing directly to rebuilding lives and communities.

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The Government of Pakistan has announced civil awards for nine prominent sports figures, including the former cricket captain Shahid Afridi, in celebration of the country’s 78th Independence Day.

The honours recognise their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

Renowned mountaineer Shehroze Kashif, the youngest Pakistani to summit all 14 peaks above 8,000m, and late equestrian Malik Muhammad Atta have also been nominated for the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.

Former Pakistan women’s team captain and ICC Hall of Famer Sana Mir will receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of her illustrious career, during which she became the first Pakistani woman cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Pakistan’s most decorated para-athlete, Haider Ali, who has won four Paralympic medals, including bronze in discus throw at Paris 2024, has also been named for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

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Meanwhile, star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who featured in 524 international matches and was part of the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning squad, will be decorated with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his services to cricket.

The President’s Award for Pride of Performance (PAPP) will be awarded to Mixed Martial Artist Shahzaib Rind and Kabaddi player Muhammad Sajjad for their achievements on the international stage.

Meanwhile, squash player Hamza Khan, shooter Mohsin Nawaz, and tennis player Rashid Malik have been nominated for the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.

It is pertinent to mention that the awards will be conferred on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2026.

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Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has shared his views on the national team’s struggles in the longest format of the game, citing the need for improvement in the domestic structure.

Speaking during an interview with a sports platform, Afridi emphasized the need for domestic structure and experimentation within the Pakistan team.

“Once you raise the standard of your domestic cricket, all three formats will improve,” he said.

“The biggest mistake we make is experimenting with the national team. A player is often selected based on just one or two good innings in the PSL. Entry into the Pakistan team should not be so easy,” Shahid Afridi elaborated.

The 48-year-old mentioned Pakistan Shaheens and talent at the domestic level while stressing on a challenging process to represent the Pakistan team.

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“If someone shows talent, they should be made to play at the lower levels — in domestic and first-class cricket. The process of making it into Shaheens (Pakistan’s ‘A’ team) shouldn’t be easy either. It should be challenging so players understand what it takes to represent Pakistan,” Shahid Afridi stated.

“The most important thing is to invest at the domestic and grassroots levels — bring in qualified coaches and quality mentors, and strengthen the structure at the foundation,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Pakistan will start their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 campaign with a series against South Africa at home.

Overall, in this cycle, the Pakistan team will play 13 matches, which is fewer than Zimbabwe’s 11 Tests in 2025, despite Zimbabwe not being part of the WTC.

Moreover, Pakistan’s recent Test performance has been underwhelming, starting with the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2019-2021 cycle, where they finished in fifth place.

In the second cycle from 2021 to 2023, Pakistan finished in seventh place after playing 14 matches.

During the recently concluded 2023-2025 WTC cycle, Pakistan languished at the bottom of the table, winning only five out of 14 Test matches.

READ: Former Pakistan captain calls for Babar Azam’s return ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has weighed in on the exclusion of Babar Azam from the national team’s T20I setup, questioning the logic behind dropping one of the team’s most consistent performers.

Speaking in a recent interview, Afridi was asked whether Babar and Mohammad Rizwan still deserve a place in the national side, especially with the Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup around the corner.

The 48-year-old responded by stressing the importance of consistency and strike rate in modern T20 cricket.

“I believe that, given the current situation I’m seeing, if we talk about strike rate, then the players should have an even better strike rate,” Shahid Afridi said.

He then expressed clear disappointment over Babar’s exclusion, highlighting how the former captain has repeatedly delivered under pressure and that his strike rate is comparable to the young players currently being tested.

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“Otherwise, Babar [Azam] is a consistent performer. He’s the kind of player that, when he steps onto the field, you expect him to score runs. He was playing with a similar strike rate, too, so we shouldn’t have dropped Babar him,” he stated.

Shahid Afridi maintained that backing young players is fine, but only if they offer something better.

“The players who are currently playing are fine, you’re giving new boys a chance. But they should be consistent and have a good strike rate,” he added.

It’s worth noting that both Babar and Rizwan have not featured in a T20I since December 2024.

Under the new setup led by head coach Mike Hesson, both have found themselves out of the selectors’ immediate plans.

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Pakistan Champions all-rounder Shahid Afridi has confirmed that he will not feature in the final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 against South Africa, scheduled to take place later today at Edgbaston.

The veteran all-rounder has not played a single match in the tournament due to fitness concerns.

Despite his absence on the field, the team has performed impressively, remaining unbeaten throughout the group stage and reaching the final after India Champions forfeited their semi-final clash.

Fans were hoping to see Afridi in action during the final. However, during a press conference in Manchester, the star all-rounder revealed that doctors advised him not to play.

“The doctor has advised me to rest, so I won’t be playing the final,” he said, adding that he had hoped to make a comeback if Pakistan had played India in the semi-final.

“My heart wanted to play, especially if that semi-final had happened. Maybe I would’ve pushed through the pain.”

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Despite being sidelined, Shahid Afridi has been actively involved in the team’s preparations and mentoring the squad.

“I motivate the boys, remind them of their responsibility. I help arrange nets and practice sessions. That’s my contribution off the field,” he said with a smile.

Shahid Afridi also praised the team’s collective mindset, highlighting that playing for Pakistan remains their sole focus.

“We are here only for Pakistan. This green jersey is our pride, and we will give our best effort in the final, Insha’Allah,” he said. “All the boys trained hard and are match-ready.”

“Every senior here is serious about his performance. This isn’t a small league. When Pakistan’s name is involved, the intensity naturally rises.”

READ: Mohammad Hafeez provides update on Shahid Afridi’s availability for WCL 2025 final