Shahid Afridi

Profile

Simply defined, Shahid Afridi has been an entertainer. The ace Pakistani all-rounder’s inability to dillydally makes him unpredictably, either potent or painless.

In a mammoth ODI debut in 1996, Afridi broke Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya’s record to become the fastest century-maker. The feat’s absurdity was underlined by his inclusion as a leg-spinner replacing injured Mushtaq Ahmed, with only a penchant for fearless pinch-hitting. It was enough batting prowess for him to feature at one down in a Pakistani middle-order comprising of stalwarts like Rameez Raja, Ejaz Ahmed and Saleem Malik. He was merely a kid of 16, as that performance quickly shifted focus from his bowling to willow-accompanying wonders. Soon, he was regarded as a batsman used as a part-time bowler. The change of roles had a reverse effect, forcing Afridi to earn his spot in a specialization he wasn’t acquainted with.

He made his Test debut in 1998, taking a five-for at Karachi against Australia. As his career progressed, priorities again reshuffled and with the retirement of spin duo Saqlain and Mushtaq, by 2004, Afridi and Danish Kaneria became the first-choice spinners. While a limited-overs regular, he remained in and out of Test reckoning. In 2006, he announced his Test retirement opting to focus instead on ODIs, but came out of it within months. As T20 ushered a limited-overs revolution, Afridi soon became the format’s best player internationally, with a World Cup win and a finals appearance. In 2010, he was appointed to captain Pakistan in all three formats. He successfully led Pakistan to a T20 World Cup semi-final berth, but after facing defeat in the first Test against Australia, soon proclaimed his re-retirement from Tests.

Afridi was removed as Pakistan’s captain on 19th May, 2011, after hinting at disharmony within the team management. Ten days after being sacked as the one-day captain, he announced his retirement from international cricket, only to take it back a few months later.

Fast Facts

• Shahid Afridi’s fastest one day century on debut came at a mere 37 balls, 11 less than the then-highest by Sanath Jayasuriya.
• He is also tied third fastest centurion with Brian Lara, in a 45-ball hundred against India.
• Afridi’s 289 sixes in ODIs are the most by any player.
• He won the man of the series award in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
• At 16 years, 8 months and 1 day, Afridi is Pakistan’s 4th youngest debutant.

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Career

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