Nowadays cricket has become a popular sport in Pakistan. As
we know that our national sports is hockey but people have keen interest in
cricket. When this format of sports regarded towards aggression so we have one
name “Shahid Khan Afridi”.
Sahibzada Shahid Khan Afridi was born on 1 March 1980 in the Khyber agency of
the Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The career of Shahid Khan Afridi
was very much depended on his consistent bowling as he has the ability to change
the pace on his spin bowling. During his consistent, aggressive bowling hw drew
his attention for his aggressive batting style.
The early career of Shahid Afridi was began in October 1996 when he was at the
age of 16. Afridi was drafted in the team during the four nation Sameer cup in
1996. Afridi made his debut on 2 October against Kenya, he made his replacement
for the injured Mushtaq Ahmed. In his debutant he went wicketless and was not
able to perform regarding to the expectation. The first international inning of
Shahid Afridi proved to be the best of all, as he made his first century on just
37 balls against Sri Lanka. As the top order batsman Afridi put a great impact
on the mind of selectors as he struck eleven sixes. He also made the record of
fastest century and equaled the record of most sixes in an ODI. We can say that
the innings of Shahid Afridi proved him as the future of Pakistan cricket team.
He also attained the man of the match and became the youngest player that scored
a century in an ODI at the age of 16.
Regarding to his ODI performance he was included in the test squad in 1998
against Australia. In his debutant test match he opened the batting but he was
not able to perform on a high note but due to his all round performance he took
five wickets in the first innings. The second test proved to be the remarkable
for this lad in which he scored his maiden test century against India. Luckily
the second matches for both the formats ODI and test proved to be the best for
this young guy. Afridi made his presence felt in the third test against India in
March 2006 scoring a quick fifty in second innings and taking five wickets in
the match including Tendulkar twice. In the same month Afridi also equals the
record of Brian Lara of second fastest century on just 45 balls against India.
Afridi was most consistent and aggressive with his bowling and batting
throughout 2005. Due to his aggression he is also known by his nickname “BOOM
BOOM AFRIDI”.
ON 12 April 2006, Afridi announced his temporary retirement from the test format
as he felt that he will not able to perform in this scenario but he continue his
form in ODI and for 2007 T20 world cup. In 2007 T20 world cup, Afridi performed
poorly with he bat but he was brilliant with the bowl. The second T20 world cup
proved to be the best for Afridi with both bat and bowl, as Pakistan won the
world cup. After Younis Khan’s retirement Afridi was the only one who took his
as the captain. In March 2010 Afridi was appointed for ODI captain in the
replacement of Mohammad Yousuf. Afridi was also the aggressive captain and
provide his team a better stand in 2011 world cup when Pakistan reached to
semi-finals though Pakistan was not able to won that world cup and were knockout
in the semi-final. But the bowling performance grant him the leading wicket
taker of the tournament. Afridi also holds the record of fastest spin ball on
134 kph.
Afridi also performed in the domestic scenario and also holds some major
records. Afridi played for Melbourne Renegades in big bash, Dhaka Dynamites and
Rangpur Riders in BPL, Deccan chargers in IPL and Peshawar zalmi in PSl. Afridi
made his first T20 century in 2017 for Hampshire in Natwest T20 Blast. On
national format Afridi performed for Karachi Dolphin and Habib Bank Limited.
The captaincy of Shahid Khan Afridi was very much impressive for Pakistan
cricket team. On 19 February 2017 Afridi announced his retirement from
international cricket. Shahid Khan Afridi till now is very much popular
cricketer and he continuing his performance in the domestic level. Afridi holds
the record of highest six of 158 meters. Recently he is performing in different
T20 leagues. Afridi is also included in Karachi kings for 2018 PSL. He has the
best fan following due to his aggressive and entertaining bowling and batting.
It is also true that Afridi is considered in those players that can change the
game at any point as some recent performances are the perfect evidence of it.
The legendary athlete is remarkable in every aspect of cricket and due to his
styles he is favorite among youth. Till now when Afridi stands in ground the
crowd cheer for him to entertain them with his all round performance. Now
everyone is looking for his debutant performance in Karachi kings in PSL season
3 2018.