Background
Born on April 6, 2000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shaheen Shah Afridi made his Test debut at just 18. Named after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf cricket-loving patron, he became one of the most electric bowlers in world cricket before his 21st birthday.
Playing Style
Shaheen generates genuine left-arm pace with a high, skiddy action. He swings the ball prodigiously in the early overs and has the ability to reverse-swing at speed in the death overs. His long frame allows him to extract steep bounce on good surfaces.
Key Achievements
Famous 2021 T20 WC spell against India — dismissed Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli in one of the greatest opening spells in T20 history. ICC Men's T20I Bowler of the Year 2021. Became the fastest Pakistani to 100 T20I wickets.
Legacy
At just 25, Shaheen is already Pakistan's most important fast bowler in the shortest format. His ability to strike with the new ball and contain in death overs makes him the complete T20 bowling weapon. The best years of his career are ahead of him.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | S/R | Best | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 32 | 130 | 22.8 | 3.12 | 43.8 | 6/51 | 7 |
| ODIs | 60 | 110 | 24.0 | 4.88 | 29.5 | 6/35 | 3 |
| T20Is | 79 | 108 | 20.7 | 7.08 | 17.5 | 4/22 | 0 |
| Year | Match | Figures | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | T20 WC vs India ICONIC | 3/31 | Dubai | W |
| 2021 | vs West Indies (Test) | 6/51 | Kingston | W |
| 2022 | vs New Zealand (ODI) | 6/35 | Karachi | W |
| 2022 | vs England (Test) | 5/52 | Rawalpindi | W |
| 2023 | vs New Zealand (T20I) | 4/22 | Lahore | W |
📌 Explore More: Babar Azam · Jasprit Bumrah · Kagiso Rabada · Cricket Quiz