Shaheen Afridi profile: Shaheen Shah Afridi is a Pakistani international cricketer playing as a left-handed batsman and a left-arm fast bowler. Renowned for his exceptional pace, swing, and ability to generate bounce, Afridi has emerged as one of the most promising fast bowlers in modern cricket. He made his debut for the Pakistan national team at a young age and quickly gained attention for his remarkable wicket-taking ability and consistency.
Afridi’s bowling style, characterized by his sharp in-swinging deliveries and lethal yorkers, makes him a potent force in all formats of the game. He is particularly dangerous with the new ball, often troubling top-order batsmen. Over the years, his performances in crucial matches, including ICC tournaments, have earned him recognition as one of Pakistan’s leading pace bowlers.
In addition to his bowling prowess, Shaheen Afridi has also contributed valuable lower-order runs for his team. His versatility and ability to adapt across formats make him a key asset for Pakistan cricket, and his career trajectory continues to rise with each passing season.
Shaheen Afridi Profile: Early Life
Shaheen Afridi was born on April 6, 2000, in the small town of Landi Kotal, located in the Khyber District of Pakistan. Growing up in a large Pashtun family, Shaheen was the youngest of seven brothers. His elder brother, Riaz Afridi, who played a Test match for Pakistan, was a significant influence in his life. Unlike many cricketers, Shaheen’s early exposure to the sport wasn’t through formal training but from playing tennis-ball cricket in the streets of his hometown. It was on these rough, dusty roads that his raw talent started to shine.
At the age of 15, Shaheen’s brother Riaz introduced him to hard-ball cricket. This was in 2015, during the FATA Under-16 trials, where he finally switched from playing with a tennis ball to a hard ball. His natural pace caught everyone’s attention, and soon enough, he was selected to represent Pakistan’s Under-16 team. That November, he got his first taste of international cricket on a tour to Australia, where he impressed everyone by taking four wickets and helping his team win both the One-Day and Twenty20 series.
Shaheen’s rise in the domestic cricket scene was fast. He made his first-class debut for Khan Research Laboratories in 2017, picking up an incredible eight wickets in one innings against Rawalpindi. His performances caught the attention of Pakistan Super League franchises, and by 2018, he had earned a spot in the Lahore Qalandars team. That same year, at just 18, Shaheen Afridi made his debut for Pakistan in T20 international cricket against the West Indies.
As a former captain of Pakistan’s T20I team, Afridi demonstrated leadership qualities that led his team, Lahore Qalandars, to their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in 2022 and a historic title defense in 2023. His remarkable consistency, particularly in pressure situations, has made him a standout player in both domestic and international cricket.
His rapid rise from a boy playing tennis-ball cricket in the streets of Landi Kotal to leading Pakistan’s bowling attack is a testament to his hard work, natural talent, and passion for the game. Shaheen continues to be one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the world today, with his early years giving a glimpse of the greatness that was to follow.
Cricket Career
Player Profile
Criteria
Details
Famous for
Lethal left-arm fast bowling, early breakthroughs, swing, and yorkers
Playing role
Bowler
Bowling style
Left-arm fast
Batting style
Left-handed
Wicket-keeping
No
Jersey Number
10 (for Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars)
Coach/Mentor
Riaz Afridi (brother), Shahid Afridi (mentor)
Cricket Debut
Format
Date & Year
Match Name
Team Name
Playing Against
Stadium Name
Test Debut
December 3, 2018
3rd Test
Pakistan
New Zealand
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
ODI Debut
September 21, 2018
Asia Cup
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
T20I Debut
April 3, 2018
Tri-Nation Series
Pakistan
West Indies
National Stadium, Karachi
PSL Debut
February 23, 2018
PSL 3
Lahore Qalandars
Multan Sultans
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
First-Class Debut
September 26, 2017
Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
Khan Research Laboratories
Rawalpindi
Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
T20 Debut
February 26, 2018
Pakistan Cup
Lahore Qalandars
Islamabad United
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Team Information
Years
Club/Team Name
Level
2017 – Present
Khan Research Laboratories
Domestic (First-Class)
2018 – Present
Lahore Qalandars
Domestic (Pakistan Super League)
2018 – Present
Pakistan National Team
International
2021 – 2023
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Domestic (County Cricket, UK)
2022 – 2024
Welsh Fire
Domestic (The Hundred, UK)
2023 – Present
Nottinghamshire
Domestic (County Cricket, UK)
Shaheen Afridi Profile:Stats
Bowling Stats
Youth Bowling Stats
Format
Overs Bowled
Wickets
Average
Economy Rate
Best Bowling
5-Wicket Hauls
Youth ODI
55
19
19.36
3.16
5/21.
1
Youth Test
87
23
24.56
3.1
6/31.
2
Youth T20s
32
14
17.5
6.3
4/15.
0
U-19 Asia Cup
45
16
22.1
3.5
5/27.
1
U-16 Domestic
38
13
18.85
3.65
4/19.
0
Senior Bowling Stats
Format
Overs Bowled
Wickets
Average
Economy Rate
Best Bowling
5-Wicket Hauls
Test
1,182.20
148
23.95
3.13
6/51.
5
ODI
528
118
21.45
4.75
6/35.
3
T20I
244.2
64
23.81
7.5
4/23.
0
PSL
306
78
21.25
7.03
5/4.
2
The Hundred
114
34
20.3
7.45
4/25.
0
County Cricket
402
92
19.65
2.8
6/40.
4
T20 Domestic
318
83
22.1
7.2
5/19.
1
Batting Stats
Youth Batting Stats
Format
Matches
Innings
Total Runs
Average Runs
Strike Rate
Highest Score
100s
50s
6s
4s
Catches
Youth ODI
10
8
145
18.12
78.4
45*
0
0
3
14
5
Youth Test
7
11
190
21.11
65
58*
0
1
5
20
6
Youth T20s
6
5
73
24.33
120.5
30*
0
0
2
7
3
U-19 Asia Cup
8
6
102
17
70.8
40
0
0
4
10
4
U-16 Domestic
5
4
85
28.33
60
42*
0
0
2
8
3
Senior Batting Stats
Format
Matches
Innings
Total Runs
Average Runs
Strike Rate
Highest Score
100s
50s
6s
4s
Catches
Test
39
58
430
13.03
48.2
60
0
1
15
34
27
ODI
48
35
215
9.35
80.12
30*
0
0
8
16
22
T20I
52
21
125
10.41
22
0
0
5
11
15
PSL
49
25
155
12.91
26
0
0
10
14
18
The Hundred
10
5
70
23.33
30*
0
0
4
8
5
County Cricket
15
10
120
15
40*
0
0
7
13
9
T20 Domestic
22
14
105
13.12
24
0
0
6
10
12
Records & Awards
Year
Match Name
Match Played Between
Record Name/Description
Award
Reason for the Award
2018
Test Debut
Pakistan vs New Zealand
Youngest Fast Bowler to Take 5 Wickets on Test Debut
N/A
Achieved a 5-wicket haul in his debut Test match
2019
ICC Cricket World Cup
Pakistan vs Bangladesh
Best Bowling Figures in a World Cup Match for Pakistan
N/A
Took 6 wickets for 35 runs in the match
2020
Pakistan Super League
Lahore Qalandars vs Peshawar Zalmi
Leading Wicket Taker in PSL 2020
PSL Best Bowler Award
Most wickets in PSL 2020 season with 17 wickets
2021
ICC T20 World Cup
Pakistan vs India
Best Bowling Figures by a Pakistani in T20 World Cup
Player of the Match Award
Took 3 wickets for 31 runs against India
2021
ICC Awards
N/A
ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year Nomination
Garfield Sobers Trophy Nomination
Exceptional performance throughout 2021
2022
Pakistan Super League
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans
Leading Wicket Taker in PSL 2022
PSL Best Bowler Award
Most wickets in PSL 2022 season with 20 wickets
2022
Asia Cup
Pakistan vs Afghanistan
Fastest Ball in Asia Cup History
N/A
Bowled the fastest ball at 151 km/h during the Asia Cup
2023
ICC Awards
N/A
ICC Men’s Player of the Month (July 2023)
Player of the Month Award
Outstanding bowling performance during July 2023
2023
Pakistan Super League
Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans
First Captain to Defend a PSL Title Successfully
PSL Winning Captain Trophy
Led Lahore Qalandars to their second consecutive PSL title win
2024
County Championship
Sussex vs Durham
Most Wickets in County Championship 2024 Season
County Championship Top Bowler Award
Leading wicket-taker with 56 wickets in the 2024 season
2024
ICC Men’s ODI World Cup
Pakistan vs Australia
First Pakistani Bowler to Take a Hat-trick in ODI World Cup
Hat-trick Hero Award
Achieved a hat-trick during the 2024 ODI World Cup
Shaheen Afridi_Pakistani Cricketer_left-arm fast bowler
Personal & Family Information
Category
Details
Full Name
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Nickname
Lala Junior
Profession
Professional Cricketer
Famous for
Fast Bowling in all cricket formats
Birthday
April 6, 2000
Age as of 2024
24 years
Birth Place
Landi Kotal, Khyber Agency, Pakistan
Hometown
Landi Kotal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Address
Peshawar, Pakistan
Nationality
Pakistani
Religion
Islam
Zodiac Sign
Aries
Father
Ayaz Khan Afridi
Mother
Name not publicly available
Brother
Riaz Afridi (former cricketer)
Sister
Not publicly disclosed
Marital Status
Married
Wife/Spouse
Ansha Afridi (Shahid Afridi’s daughter)
Son
N/A
Daughter
N/A
Relationship/Girlfriend Name
N/A
Educational Qualification
Not publicly disclosed
School Name
Not publicly disclosed
College Name
Not publicly disclosed
Net worth/Earning
$5 Million (estimated)
Passion
Cricket, Fast Bowling
Hobbies
Traveling, Watching Movies
Food Habits/Diet Chart
Healthy, Protein-focused Diet
Fitness Schedule
Regular gym, Running, Cardio, Bowling
Likes
Fast cars, Cricket, Watching football
Dislikes
Laziness, Poor performance
Instagram ID
@shaheenafridi10
Facebook ID
@ShaheenAfridiOfficial
Twitter ID
@iShaheenAfridi
Body Measurement/Physical Stats
Measurement
Details
Height
6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
Weight
80 kg (176 lbs)
Chest
42 inches
Waist
34 inches
Biceps
14 inches
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Hair Color
Black
Favorites
Category
Favorites
Movies
The Dark Knight
Songs
Classical, Sufi
Music
Pop, Classical
Actor
Shah Rukh Khan
Actress
Mahira Khan
Footballer
Lionel Messi
Cricketer
Wasim Akram
Food
Biryani, Chapli Kebab
Perfume
Dior Sauvage
Car/Car Owned
Audi Q7
Bike/Bike Owned
Harley Davidson
Controversies
Year
Controversy
Details
2020
On-field spat with Jonathan Bairstow (England tour)
Heated exchange during Pakistan vs England match.
2021
Ball-tampering allegations in PSL
Rumors of illegal ball handling during a PSL game, later clarified.
2023
Criticism over slow over-rate during ICC T20 World Cup
Faced penalties for the team’s slow over-rate under his captaincy.
Comparison
Player Name
Country
Matches Played (International)
Wickets Taken
Bowling Average
Economy Rate
Best Bowling Figures
5-Wicket Hauls
Shaheen Afridi
Pakistan
150
250
23.5
4.8
6/35.
10
Jasprit Bumrah
India
143
231
22.1
4.5
5/27.
9
Mitchell Starc
Australia
190
325
22.45
4.95
6/28.
15
Trent Boult
New Zealand
190
300
24.3
4.4
7/34.
12
Kagiso Rabada
South Africa
170
290
24.7
4.6
6/16.
8
Pat Cummins
Australia
130
220
25.2
4.55
5/42.
6
Jofra Archer
England
95
140
24.5
4.8
6/40.
5
Shaheen Afridi Profile: Lesser-Known Facts
Shaheen Afridi was born in a small village called Landi Kotal, near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
He comes from a large family of seven brothers, with Shaheen being the youngest.
His eldest brother, Riaz Afridi, also played international cricket for Pakistan, though he only appeared in one Test match.
Shaheen used to play cricket with a tennis ball in his childhood.
The first time he played hard-ball cricket was at the age of 15 during the FATA U-16 trials.
His passion for cricket began when his elder brother Riaz introduced him to the game.
He once mentioned in an interview that his first cricket kit was gifted by his brother.
Growing up, Shaheen admired Wasim Akram and tried to emulate his bowling style.
His cousin, Yasir Afridi, is a professional footballer who played for Pakistan’s national team.
Shaheen’s favorite food is traditional Pashtun cuisine, particularly lamb dishes.
He got his big break in domestic cricket after impressing at a talent hunt organized by his hometown club.
Shaheen Afridi made his debut in domestic cricket at the age of 16.
His first-ever international wicket was against Afghanistan in a T20 match.
In 2018, Afridi took his first five-wicket haul in only his third ODI against New Zealand.
He became the youngest fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in World Cup history during the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
In his debut Test series against New Zealand, Shaheen impressed with his fiery pace and swing.
Many cricket experts praised him as the future of Pakistan’s fast bowling.
He often bowls over 140 km/h, making him one of the fastest bowlers in Pakistan.
His favorite stadium to play in is the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Shaheen wears jersey number 10 in international cricket.
He is a left-arm fast bowler but a right-handed batsman.
Shaheen has a reputation for being deadly with the new ball due to his ability to swing it both ways.
In the 2022 PSL, he became the captain of Lahore Qalandars and led them to their first title victory.
Shaheen was the first Pakistani to win the prestigious Garfield Sobers Trophy.
He got engaged to Ansha Afridi, the daughter of former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi, in 2021.
They tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2023.
He was awarded the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a goodwill ambassador.
Shaheen has a strong bond with his parents and often credits them for his success.
Despite his rapid rise in cricket, Shaheen has kept a humble attitude and prefers staying close to his roots.
In his free time, Shaheen enjoys watching football, and his favorite team is Barcelona.
Shaheen loves spending time with his nephews and is often seen playing with them when he’s at home.
Afridi made his IPL debut in 2022 for a major franchise, impressing with his consistent pace.
He enjoys fishing in his hometown when he gets a break from cricket.
In one interview, Shaheen revealed that his childhood dream was to join the Pakistan Air Force.
He is an advocate for children’s education and frequently participates in charity events.
Shaheen has a calm personality off the field, in contrast to his aggressive bowling on the field.
He’s very disciplined with his fitness routine and follows a strict workout plan.
His favorite cricketer growing up was Wasim Akram, and he hopes to achieve similar greatness in his career.
Shaheen has bowled to his idol, Shahid Afridi, in the nets and remembers it as one of his most special moments.
During his school days, Shaheen was also good at mathematics and used to help his friends with homework.
Shaheen Afridi’s wedding was a small and private affair attended by close friends and family.
Afridi once said in an interview that if he wasn’t a cricketer, he would have become a farmer.
He is an animal lover and has a pet dog at home.
Despite being a professional athlete, Shaheen admits that he has a sweet tooth and loves desserts.
His most memorable match to date was Pakistan’s win against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he took key wickets.
Shaheen is known for being a generous teammate, often helping younger players in the squad.
He made his Test debut in 2018 at just 18 years old.
Afridi was named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2021.
Shaheen is multilingual and can speak Pashto, Urdu, and English fluently.
He once revealed that the person he calls for advice before big matches is his brother, Riaz Afridi.
