Regarded as one of the premier fast bowling talents worldwide, Shaheen Afridi stands tall as a left-arm pace bowler known for consistently hitting speeds in the high-80s. His towering stature of 6 feet 6 inches grants him added pace and bounce, while his batting skills further enhance his value to the team.
Afridi burst onto the scene in 2017 with a remarkable first-class debut for Khan Research Laboratories, where he mesmerized with 8 wickets in the second innings, conceding a mere 39 runs in 15 overs. His dazzling performance continued in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Lahore Qalandars, where he snatched 5 wickets for just 4 runs in a group match. These stellar displays quickly earned Afridi a spot in the national squad, debuting against West Indies in April 2018. He further showcased his talent at the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, emerging as the leading wicket-taker for his team with 12 scalps.
In September 2018, Afridi made his ODI debut in the Asia Cup against Afghanistan, followed by his Test debut against New Zealand in December of the same year. His consistent performances earned him a place in Pakistan's squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup, where he impressed with 16 wickets, although his success was somewhat limited against the top teams. A breakthrough moment arrived in December 2019 when Afridi secured his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket during a match against Sri Lanka. Since his debut across all three formats, the left-arm seamer has made significant strides in international cricket.
In 2021, Afridi's exceptional performances earned him the ICC Cricketer of the Year award, highlighted by his remarkable tally of 78 scalps in 36 international games. Notably, his standout bowling display against India in the T20 World Cup propelled Pakistan to a resounding 10-wicket victory, further cementing his reputation as a game-changer.
Afridi's confidence soared, leading to his appointment as captain of Lahore Qalandars for the 2022 Pakistan Super League season. Under his leadership, Qalandars clinched the title, with Afridi emerging as the youngest captain to win a T20 league at just 21 years old. This success reiterated his potential as a future captain for Pakistan. After Pakistan's unexpected departure from the World Cup earlier in the year, there was a significant shake-up in leadership within the team.
In November 2023, Shaheen Afridi took the reins as the T20I captain, replacing Babar Azam. However, this change was short-lived, as after just one T20I series in New Zealand, Babar Azam was reinstated as both the T20I captain and the leader of the ODI squad. Although his stint as T20I captain was brief, Afridi remains an integral part of Pakistan's cricketing setup across all formats. Despite the leadership changes, his role as a key player for Pakistan remains undisputed.
