Shaheen Shah Afridi: Rising Cricket Star from Pakistan
With a baby face perched on his towering two-meter body, Shaheen Shah Afridi has quickly become a household name in Pakistani cricket. At just 18 years old, he has already made himself comfortable in the green shirt of the national side, catching the attention of national selectors for nearly three years. Born into a cricketing family, with an international cricketer for an elder brother, it was almost inevitable that Shaheen would achieve great things at a young age.
Shaheen comes from a lineage of cricketers, with his brother Riaz Afridi having played a solitary Test match for Pakistan in 2004. It was Riaz who introduced him to hard-ball cricket after years of success in Pakistan’s informal tape-ball circuit. His talent was recognized in 2015 when he was selected by FATA after an U-16 talent hunt program. His impressive pace, physique, and fitness earned him a spot on the U-16 tour of Australia, and since then, he has been steadily progressing through the youth squads.
His breakthrough moment came when he made his debut in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, taking an amazing 8 for 39, the best-ever figures by a debutant in the competition. Following this remarkable performance, he was selected to play for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he stunned the world by taking five wickets for just four runs in a group game. This outstanding performance earned him a place in the T20I squad against the West Indies.
Shaheen made history as the first cricketer born after the turn of the millennium to represent Pakistan when he played in the third T20I against the West Indies. He was later given an opportunity to make his ODI debut in the Asia Cup, replacing the experienced Mohammad Amir in the side. In December, he became the 35th player to make his Test debut for Pakistan under the age of 19, solidifying his position as one of the country’s brightest cricketing talents.
However, there is much more to Shaheen than just his captivating story. Standing at an imposing 6 feet 6 inches, his physical presence commands attention. Yet, behind his sweet, child-like smile and harmless demeanor, lies a fierce competitor. Shaheen intelligently uses his height to extract bounce on the usually docile pitches of the UAE, and his deadly yorkers have proven particularly challenging for batsmen to face. Additionally, his ability to consistently hit a good length and display excellent temperament suggests a promising career ahead.
Many have already begun to draw comparisons with Pakistan’s legendary left-arm fast bowlers, such as Wasim Akram and Mohammad Amir. However, Shaheen’s unique style sets him apart. While Akram and Amir relied more on swing than bounce and were shorter in stature, Shaheen’s contemporary comparison is often likened to Mitchell Starc, as highlighted by his coach Mickey Arthur during the PSL. Although he has made an impressive start to his international career, there is a sense that Shaheen is only scratching the surface of his potential.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s most exciting cricket prospects. His blend of skill, athleticism, and composure, combined with his natural talent, sets him apart from his peers. As he continues to develop and gain valuable experience at the highest level, it is clear that Shaheen’s journey has just begun. Cricket fans around the world eagerly await his future contributions to the sport and anticipate many more memorable moments from this young prodigy.
