Shaheen Afridi Cricketer

Shaheen Afridi Cricketer – the player-bowler who has spelled in the cricket field through his magical deliveries.

The player has just started his career and his start is remarkable. Shaheen Shah Afridi, born on April 6, 2000, in the Khyber Agency of Pakistan. It is one of the distant area of Pakistan. He is one of the brightest stars in international cricket.

Strike Rate of Shaheen Afridi

Here is the bowling strike rate of Shaheen Shah Afridi in all three formats of cricket.

Format of Cricket	Matches Played	Wickets Got	Bowling Strike Rate (Balls per wicket)
Test Matches	29	105	48.8
ODI (One Day International) Matches	44	89	25.8
T20I Matches	52	64	18.2

This table summarizes Shaheen Afridi’s strike rate across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, showing how often he takes a wicket based on the number of balls bowled per wicket

His meteoric rise through the ranks of Pakistan cricket has been nothing short of phenomenal. Known for his tall, imposing frame and ability to swing the ball at high speeds, Afridi has established himself as one of the best fast bowlers in the modern all three formats of cricket.

Related: Muhammad Amir

Early Life and Cricketing Beginnings of Shaheen

First of all, Afridi hails from a Pashtun family with a deep love for cricket. His elder brother, Riaz Afridi, briefly played for Pakistan, which helped Shaheen develop a passion for the sport from an early age.

Furthermore, unlike many cricketers from urban centers, Afridi’s cricket journey began in the rugged terrains of the Khyber Agency. This area is not considered suitable for the promotion of cricketers. It is a tribal region that was often overlooked in terms of sporting talent.

In addition, Afridi’s raw talent was discovered during local tournaments, where he made a name for himself with his extraordinary pace and ability to swing the ball both ways. He initially played tennis ball cricket, a popular version of the sport in Pakistan’s rural areas, which helped him develop his natural bowling rhythm.

So, his talent was soon recognized by Pakistan’s cricketing circles, and he was picked for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) team in Pakistan’s domestic circuit.

Domestic Career of Shaheen

First of all, Shaheen’s domestic career took off when he debuted for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in 2016 during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament. His debut was notable, but it was his performance in the year 2017 Pakistan Super League (PSL) that brought him into the limelight.

Later on, playing for Lahore Qalandars, Afridi’s pace and swing made an instant impact. His proved that he is the super bowler in this tournament. His four-wicket haul against Multan Sultans in 2018 is still remembered as one of the defining moments of his early career.

It wasn’t long before selectors took notice of the young left-arm pacer. His tall stature, combined with his ability to generate bounce and extract swing from the pitch, made him a formidable bowler. These are the edges that Shaheen has over other bowlers. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) fast-tracked him into the national setup, and Afridi made his international debut at just 18 years of age.

International Debut of Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi made his T20 International debut for Pakistan in April 2018 against the West Indies. His performance was modest, but his potential was evident. He quickly transitioned to ODI cricket, making his debut in September 2018 against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. By this time, Afridi’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death had made him an asset in limited-overs cricket.

Additionally, his Test debut came in December 2018 against New Zealand, where he impressed with his ability to reverse swing the ball, a key skill in subcontinent conditions. Afridi soon became a regular in Pakistan’s bowling attack, leading the charge in all three formats.

Achievements of Shaheen

Although, Shaheen start of career was remarkable. One of Shaheen Afridi’s most significant moments came during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Despite Pakistan’s mixed performance in the tournament, Afridi stood out, particularly with his match-winning spell of 6/35 against Bangladesh.

At the time, it was the best bowling figures by a Pakistani in World Cup history and showcased Afridi’s ability to perform under pressure on the world’s biggest stage. He finished the tournament as Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker, underlining his potential as a future spearhead of the bowling attack.

Afridi’s achievements continued to mount as he became Pakistan’s go-to bowler across all formats. His lethal combination of pace, swing, and yorkers made him a nightmare for batsmen, particularly in the death overs of limited-overs cricket. In Tests, Afridi’s ability to extract movement from the new ball and reverse swing the old ball made him one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the game. His partnership with fellow fast bowlers like Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah became a cornerstone of Pakistan’s bowling lineup.

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, Afridi delivered one of the most memorable spells of his career against arch-rivals India. His opening burst, where he dismissed both Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with lethal in-swinging deliveries, set the tone for Pakistan’s historic victory over India in a World Cup match. His performance earned him widespread praise and solidified his reputation as a big-match player.

Playing Style of Shaheen

Shaheen Afridi is known for his aggressive bowling style. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, he generates significant bounce from most surfaces. His ability to swing the ball both ways, particularly his sharp in-swinging deliveries to right-handers, is one of his standout qualities. Afridi also excels in bowling yorkers, making him highly effective at the death in limited-overs cricket. His consistency in hitting the right areas makes him a potent threat in all formats.

What sets Afridi apart is his adaptability. He can bowl long spells in Test matches, maintaining his pace and accuracy, while also excelling in the shorter formats, where he can adjust his length and pace according to the situation. His commitment to fitness and improvement has made him a reliable performer for Pakistan.

Personal Life and Popularity

Afridi is known for his humble and soft-spoken demeanor off the field. He comes from a family that values its roots, and despite his fame, Afridi has stayed grounded. In 2021, it was announced that Afridi is engaged to Ansha, the daughter of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, further solidifying his bond with one of Pakistan’s most revered cricketing families.

His popularity transcends cricket. Afridi has become a youth icon in Pakistan, admired not only for his cricketing achievements but also for his humble background and perseverance. He is active on social media and enjoys a massive fan following.

Legacy and Future

At just 24 years old, Shaheen Afridi’s career is still in its early stages, but he has already achieved what many cricketers can only dream of. With time on his side, he is expected to break many more records and lead Pakistan to greater heights in international cricket. Afridi is viewed as the natural successor to Pakistan’s fast-bowling greats, such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, and his contributions to Pakistan cricket will likely be remembered for generations to come.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025