In a thrilling announcement for cricket fans worldwide, legendary Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has been revealed as the newest tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in the West Indies and the USA. Afridi, a former Men’s T20 World Cup winner and Player of the Tournament, joins an elite group of ambassadors that includes India’s Yuvraj Singh, West Indies’ Chris Gayle, and the fastest man on Earth, Usain Bolt.

Afridi’s illustrious T20 World Cup career

Afridi is celebrated for his significant contributions to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaigns. His performances are etched in cricket history, particularly his pivotal roles in the 2007 and 2009 tournaments. In the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, Afridi’s exceptional all-round skills led Pakistan to the final, where they narrowly lost to arch-rivals India. His efforts earned him the Player of the Tournament award, a testament to his impactful performances throughout the event.

The pinnacle of Afridi’s T20 World Cup career came in 2009 when he spearheaded Pakistan’s triumphant campaign. Afridi’s all-round brilliance shone brightly as he delivered match-winning performances in both the semi-final against South Africa and the final against Sri Lanka. His heroics in the final, where he was named Player of the Match, helped Pakistan lift the T20 World Cup trophy, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest T20 players of all time.

Afridi’s reaction to the ambassador role

Reflecting on his appointment as a tournament ambassador, Afridi expressed his excitement and fond memories of the T20 World Cup. “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart,” said Afridi. “From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage.

“T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before.

“I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams,” he added.

Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager – Marketing and Communications, highlighted Afridi’s credentials, stating, “Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team.

“He’s a fan favourite around the world and alongside Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist Usain Bolt, will be bringing fans closer to the event ahead of what is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever.”

The upcoming T20 World Cup

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to kick off on June 1, with co-hosts USA taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. This edition of the tournament promises to be spectacular, with matches hosted across diverse venues in the West Indies and the USA, bringing the excitement of T20 cricket to new audiences.

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Afridi’s appointment as a tournament ambassador adds a touch of nostalgia and excitement to the upcoming T20 World Cup. His legendary status and remarkable T20 World Cup history make him a perfect fit for this role. As fans gear up for the 2024 edition, Afridi’s presence will undoubtedly enhance the tournament’s appeal and inspire a new generation of cricketers and fans alike.

Shahid Afridi, a former captain of Pakistan, stated that the BCCI would be severely slapped if the Men in Green won the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. After BCCI Secretary Jay Shah flatly refused to send the Indian contingent to the neighbouring nation, it is no secret that the PCB and BCCI are at odds over who will host the Asia Cup in 2023.

The PCB also retaliated, telling them that they would not travel to India for the World Cup if India did not tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup, setting off a chain reaction. However, Afridi, a former cricketer, stated that the management will need to exercise discretion and grant permission for the team to tour India. He went on to say that it would be a “tight slap” on the BCCI to go to India and win the trophy there.

“I don’t understand why they [PCB] are so adamant and keep saying that we won’t go to India. They need to simplify the situation and understand that an international cricket tournament is happening – take it rather positively; go and play. Tell your boys to get the trophy; the whole nation stands behind you. It’ll not only be a big win for us but a tight slap on the face of the BCCI,”

Afridi was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

Give them a clear message by bagging the trophy: Afridi

He also said that the PCB doesn’t have a lot of options and needs to be positive about going to the neighboring country for the ODI World Cup. Moreover, he added that packing the prize would assist with sending an unmistakable message to the most despised rivals.

“Go to India, play decent cricket and claim the win. This is it; we have only this option resorted to ourselves. We are supposed to go there, land back with the World Cup and give them a clear message that we can go anywhere and bag the victory,”

he added.

Shahid Afridi, a former captain of Pakistan, expressed his belief that Pakistan is prepared to host the Indian team at the tournament and urged the BCCI to disregard political tensions and send their team.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which includes the BCCI and the PCB, is scheduled to meet in Dubai to settle the much-debated Asia Cup 2023 tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is also scheduled to meet. Even though there were no official statements, reports from the previous ACC meeting, which took place a month ago in Bahrain, indicated that Pakistan had reserved the right to host the tournament and that the UAE would be the new venue.

Shahid Afridi, a former captain of Pakistan, expressed his belief that Pakistan is prepared to host the Indian team at the tournament and urged the BCCI to disregard political tensions and send their team

In October of last year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also chairman of the ACC, stated that the Indian team would not be traveling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. He then went on to insist that the location should be changed. Without consulting the board or any other members of the ACC, an enraged PCB questioned the statement’s logic and threatened to boycott the 2023 ODI World Cup in Pakistan if the country was denied hosting the 2023 Asia Cup.

Speaking to media on the side-lines of Legends League Cricket, Afridi was asked how matters will improve if there is constant retaliation. 

“Who is saying no to Asia Cup? India is saying no,”

the veteran cricketer said.

Afridi went on to say that the Pakistan team had once been threatened by an Indian, whom he would not name, but that the Pakistan government had put differences aside to send the team to India and wishes the same for this time.

“Aap Indian team ko bheje toh sahi, humlog sar aankhon par rakhenge (You just send the Indian team to Pakistan and we will welcome them with great pleasure). Before this, an Indian from Mumbai, won’t take his name, had threatened Pakistan that they won’t be allowed in India. But we kept all aside and our government had taken it up as a responsibility and Pakistan team did go to India. So threats should not ruin our relationship. Threats will remain,”

he said.

The former all-rounder demonstrated even more by recalling India’s 2004/05 tour of Pakistan and how players like Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh were respected by the Pakistani people.

“It would have been really nice if India had come. It would have been a step towards cricket and Pakistan for India. This is not a generation of wars and fights, we want relationships to get better. We have played against India with a lot of love and affection. I remember when we came to India, we got an outstanding response. If you remember the 2005 series, Harbhajan and Yuvraj used to go shopping and to restaurants, and no one used to charge them money. This is the beauty of the two nations,”

he said.

Former Indian cricket team all-rounder Suresh Raina was asked about a probable return to international cricket during the on-going LLC Masters yet his reaction to the inquiry has turned into a web sensation via social media after an India Maharajas match, during the press conference.

“Everyone wants you back in the IPL after your performance tonight in Legends League Cricket.”

a reporter asked Raina

Raina was amused by the question, and he denied any chance of a comeback while referencing Shahid Afridi. 

“Main Suresh Raina hoon. Main Shahid Afridi nahi hoon. Retirement le chuka hoon (I’m Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi. I’ve taken retirement),”

he said.

The fact that Shahid Afridi, a former star of the Pakistan cricket team, has returned multiple times since announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket prompted the reference

In the fourth match of the LLC Masters at the Asian Town Cricket Stadium in Doha, India Maharajas prevailed over Asia Lions thanks to captain Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa’s spectacular unbeaten 159-run opening partnership. This resulted in an emphatic 10-wicket victory.

Uthappa scored an unbeaten 88 off 39 balls with 11 boundaries and five sixes, and Gambhir scored an unbeaten 61 off 36 balls with 12 boundaries, both of which set fire to the Asian Town Cricket Stadium and destroyed the Asia Lions’ attack.

India Maharajas had bowled first and held Asia Lions to 157 for 5 in 20 overs. The match was won by the India Maharajas with 45 balls remaining.

For Asia Lions, Upul Tharanga broke 69 off 48 balls with seven boundaries and two sixes while Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 32 off 27 balls with four boundaries and a six. Together, they scored 73 runs in their first innings, but their efforts were in vain.

India Maharajas decided to bowl with their left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan after winning the toss and allowing only three runs in the first over with his fluid delivery. The primary limit of the day came from opener Upul Tharanga, who smoothly drove Ashok Dinda through the covers. In the same over, opener Tillakaratne Dilshan drove Dinda for a boundary. Pathan’s third over was just as brilliant, allowing just four runs to be scored. Dinda was lifted by Dilshan to the middle of the wicket for yet another boundary, establishing a solid opening partnership slowly but surely.

Tharanga skillfully cut away Stuart Binny’s first fifth-over delivery to the backward point fence. When wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa dropped Tharanga at 21, he escaped being caught behind to an outside edge to the third delivery. On the subsequent delivery, Tharanga scored a boundary to celebrate his escape. 16 runs were scored when Dilshan hit Binny to the square leg fence as well.

Tharanga hit the second ball to the cover point fence after Yusuf Pathan was brought in for the sixth over. By the time the power play was over, the partnership had scored 50 runs. Irfan Pathan was once again introduced for the seventh over to check the run stream, which he did by offering just six runs. India Maharajas presented their strike bowler Harbhajan Singh in the eighth over, and he also offered just five runs.

For a six-over square leg, Dilshan hit Binny’s second and third deliveries of the second over. Irfan Pathan took the catch at short third man after Dilshan on 32 was forced to cut in the air by Binny’s fourth ball. Mohammad Hafeez attempted a wild swing at the accurate Harbhajan, but he missed the fifth delivery of the tenth over and was given two runs leg before.

Misbah Ul Haq, the champion of Asia Lions’ first two matches, joined Tharanga at the halfway point, making the score 76 for 2. Pravin Tambe, a 51-year-old leg spinner, brilliantly stumped wicketkeeper Uthappa for a duck to take Misbah’s valuable wicket. With only one run conceded in the 12th over, the run flow began to decline. For a six-over long-off, Asghar Afghan hit Tambe’s first delivery of the 15th over. Tharanga arrived at his 50 years in 41 balls with six boundaries however Asghar Afghan got out leg before to Raina for 15.

In the 17th over, Tharanga swept Tambe for a boundary off successive balls and hit a straight six off him. After that, he hit Raina for a six to midwicket. However, when he tried to hit a similar shot, he was caught by Manvinder Bisla at wide long-on for 69. Dinda was hit for a boundary to the backward point and a six off consecutive balls by Abdul Razzaq, who is known for his big shots. He is now unbeaten on 27 from 17 balls with two boundaries and two sixes. Asia Lions were also guaranteed more than 150 runs thanks to this.

Gautam Gambhir, the India Maharajas’ captain and consistent scorer, and Robin Uthappa led the charge toward the goal. Uthappa scored two boundaries in Mohammad Amir’s second over as they confidently negotiated the pace of Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Amir. It was a delight to watch Gambhir hit an elegant cover drive off Tanvir in the third over. He then set two more boundaries that came after it. Twenty runs were scored in that over when Uthappa hit Tanvir’s final ball of the third over for a boundary through the covers. In that over, he had also bowled three consecutive wides.

Mohammad Hafeez, an offspinner, was used for the fifth over to check the flow of the ball. Gambhir scored a 50-run opening partnership in five overs by hitting two boundaries off Hafeez’s fifth and sixth balls.

For the sixth over, left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, who bowled brilliantly against World Giants in the third match, was used. To subtract 14 runs from that over, Uthappa cut him for a boundary and hit two boundaries in succession in the fifth and sixth deliveries. As a result, the power play resulted in 65 runs.

The crowd applauded Shoaib Akhtar as he bowled the seventh over. With a few members of the audience yelling about Uthappa’s express deliveries, he withdrew his fourth and final delivery to enforce boundaries. Hafeez, who bowled the ninth over, raced to his half-century in 27 balls after Uthappa pulled him over midwicket and into the stands for three sixes. He also hit a boundary, and that over cost him 23 runs. Isuru Udana was the target of the onslaught, and Gambhir and Uthappa were able to quickly establish boundaries.

India Maharajas only required 33 runs in the final 60 balls at the halfway point. Gambhir reached his half-century in 32 balls and guided his team to triumph with 45 balls in excess.

Pakistan had a rollercoaster of a ride in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 subsequent to losing two progressive matches in the Super 12 phase to come to the finals of the occasion. The Babar Azam-led side were ultimately crushed because of England in the summit showdown which delegated England as victors of the world cup.

Babar Azam ought to step down as captain, according to a number of cricket enthusiasts. In addition, Pakistan great Shahid Afridi is of the opinion that Babar should focus on batting rather than taking charge of the team in T20 matches and should lead the team in ODIs and Tests.

“Babar was not happy with the management at Karachi Kings as it is. I feel he should take a tough call and quit captaincy in T20 cricket. He should focus on his batting and lead the team in Tests and one-dayers. I respect Babar a lot and that’s why I don’t want him to take the pressure of captaincy in T20 cricket. I want him to focus on his captaincy in longer formats. You do have players like Shadab, Rizwan, and even Shan Masood who can lead the team in the T20 format,”

Afridi said in an interview with Samaa TV.

Babar Azam faced lot of heat during the marquee event

The Pakistan captain’s lacklustre performance throughout the T20 World Cup was one of the highlights. Babar simply did not appear to be in pristine touch, with the exception of the sensational 53-run innings against New Zealand.

In addition, Babar scored a single digit in each of his first four Super 12 matches and a 32 in his final match against England. With the willow, which has been affected by the pressures of being a captain, his demise has been observed by fans and cricketers.

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Throughout the competition, the skipper received a lot of criticism for his lacklustre performances. It remains to be seen what happens because Babar has not responded to the suggestions made by cricket fans.

When the two rival nations square off as the featured acts of the Asia Cup beginning this weekend, India’s Virat Kohli has the potential to regain form before the World Cup, while Babar Azam will try to maintain Pakistan’s psychological edge.

During the two weeks of the T20 competition in the United Arab Emirates, the two cricketing heavyweights India and Pakistan may face off three times. Political upheaval forced the six-nation competition to relocate from Sri Lanka, and it has extra relevance this year because the T20 World Cup in Australia, which will take place between October and November, is approaching quickly.

In the opening game on Saturday, Sri Lanka takes on Afghanistan, but all eyes will be on India and Pakistan’s matchup in Dubai on Sunday.

India will be hoping to avenge their 10-wicket humiliation by Pakistan at the same location during the T20 World Cup last year, and captain Rohit Sharma is doing his best to keep his team composed as fan anticipation and enthusiasm reach fever pitch.

“Everyone watches the game and it’s a high-pressure game without a doubt, but within the group we want to create a normal atmosphere. We don’t want to hype this game too much. It’s important to tell the players who haven’t played against Pakistan or played them just one or two times that it’s just another opposition.”

he told Star Sports.

Rahul Dravid, the head coach of India, nominated former batter VVS Laxman to serve in an interim leadership position late on Wednesday.

Shaheen injured

The game will mark Kohli’s 100th T20 international appearance and a chance for the legendary batsman to shake off his extended dry season before the World Cup. The 33-year-old hasn’t recorded a century in any format since 2019, but after receiving a rest for tours to the West Indies and Zimbabwe, he should be rested.

Rohit took over as all-format captain earlier this year, replacing Kohli, who has 27 hundreds in 102 Test matches. The success of Pakistan will mostly rest on its in-form captain Azam, who just scored two significant half-centuries in his team’s 3-0 ODI victory over the Netherlands.

Azam, 27, is ranked one in the world in both ODI and T20 batting, and his unbeaten 68 against India last year helped his team win.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, who destroyed India in the T20 tournament last year, has been replaced by Pakistan’s addition of pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain due to a knee injury.

Hong Kong, which defeated the UAE in the final qualifier on Wednesday, will join defending champions India, which won the last Asia Cup in 2018 when it was contested over 50 overs.

Group B includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

The top two teams from each group advance to a Super 4 stage, when India and Pakistan can face off once more. If both teams make it to the September 11 final, the great rivals might potentially face each other a third time.

Dasun Shanaka‘s Sri Lanka could ruin the party between India and Pakistan. They have had success in recent home series despite a terrible economic crisis, therefore they are capable of making it to the final.

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In the cricket-crazy island nation that has recently been plagued by food and fuel shortages as well as rolling blackouts, victory would offer some much-needed joy. With their star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, one of the best T20 bowlers in the world who can take advantage of and turn in the subcontinent-like UAE surfaces, Afghanistan has the power to upset any team.
With the World Cup drawing near, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan‘s return to the team as captain has given Bangladesh a boost. He stated that improving the team’s performances was his top objective.

India are scheduled to take on Pakistan in the Asia Cup on 28th August and the biggest threat for the star-studded Indian batting line-up will once again be the left-handed paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi. It was Afridi, who gouged India’s possibilities in last year’s T20 World Cup clash between the main opponents as he excused openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul during a blazing spell.

Pakistan’s premier paceman, who was decreed ICC’s Player of the Year in 2021, is right now sidelined because of an injury. Afridi missed Pakistan’s second Test against Sri Lanka because of a swollen knee and the team proceeded to lose the match.

In front of the team’s takeoff for the tour through Netherlands and Asia Cup, captain Babar Azam was asked about Afridi’s wellness. He said that Shaheen was being taken to Netherlands so he could be cared for by the team doctor and physio and if possible get a game in Netherlands to get ready for the Asia Cup.

“There are concerns over Shaheen’s fitness. We are taking him along because the doctor and the physio are travelling with the team, so he can be looked after well. We are thinking from a long-term perspective. There is the Asia Cup and the World Cup as well. We are trying to ensure he can get ready as soon as possible. We are hoping that he can play at least one match in the Netherlands. If not, then hopefully he can play in the Asia Cup,”

Azam said

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It is plausible that India and Pakistan clash thrice in the competition and fans couldn’t imagine anything better than to witness that.

Top cricketers, including captain Babar Azam, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, have consented to sign the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) amended central contracts following a week of stand-off between them and the board. 

As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, the group of players signed the dotted lines prior to leaving for the Netherlands tour on the condition that they will once again hold discussion over a couple other clauses in the contract with the board post the Asia Cup in September.

The senior players have expressed hesitations about a couple of aspects of the agreements.

“These range from questions around the NOC process for participation in foreign leagues, to seeking more information about image rights in ICC events and shares from participation fees at ICC events and clauses around signing individual endorsements,”

the report said

The PCB reported 33 central contracts this season, splitting between white and red-ball players for the first time 2022-23.

According to the board’s standard practice, while copies of the contract were given to the players toward the beginning of the pre-visit camp in Lahore, a large number of the players from the lower categories had already signed the contract, however the senior stars did not sign right away.

Aside from Babar, Afridi, and Rizwan, the group also included Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali. The players looked for additional time as they needed to discuss the nitty-gritty of the agreements with their advisers and lawyers, considering there is no players body in the country.

Earlier, Pakistan cricketers seldom questioned any part of their central contracts signed and returned them immediately.

Historically, the Pakistan board likewise never officially negotiated with the cricketers while outlining contracts on their part.

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Subsequently, this new development could be seen as a marker of sorts in the equation between the board and the cricketers.

As indicated by the central contracts, the monthly retainer amounts and match charges were not among the points of contention. All players will get match fees of Rs. 838,530 PKR (approx. US$3800) for a Test, Rs. 515,696 PKR for an ODI (approx. US$2300) and PKR 372,075 (approx. US$1700) for a T20I.

Then again, the retainer for a top Pakistan red-ball contract is PKR 1,050,000 every month (approx. US$4700) and PKR 950,000 (approx. US$4300) for a corresponding white-ball contract.

Pakistan cricket legend Shahid Afridi refused to offer any guidance to Indian player Virat Kohli who has been battling with prolonged poor form. Afridi, nonetheless, added that Kohli needs to perform because there are enormous expectations from the former India captain.

“Why would he care about my advice? He has to perform because the expectations from Virat are so high. And for a very long time, there has been no performance from him according to the standards that he has set for himself,”

Afridi told reporters in Pakistan.

Kohli, who last made a century in 2019

He failed to cross the 20-run mark in even one of the six innings across various formats in England. The former India captain is as of now out of action as he was not selected for the ODI and T20I series in West Indies. While there’s no affirmation on Kohli’s absence, it has been reported that selectors wanted to offer Kohli a break.

Afridi was additionally asked about Pakistan’s forthcoming matches against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup and afterward in the T20 World Cup. The former Pakistan captain said that Pakistan are a reasonable side and ought to do well in upcoming mega competitions.

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“As far as the Pakistan team is concerned, it is a balanced side. I hope that not only in the Asia Cup, but even in the World Cup, our performances will be good. I hope the players are fit, because I don’t see much strength on the bench. But the 11-12 first-team players that we have, they are very strong and I hope they will bring in good results,”

Afridi said.

Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the second Test against Sri Lanka with a knee injury, the team said on Thursday.

Shaheen, a left-arm quick, had a critical impact in the tourists’ opening win on Wednesday in Galle as he took four wickets in the first innings.

“Due to a knee injury sustained on the fourth day of the first Test, Shaheen Afridi will miss the second Test, which will be played in Galle from July 24,”

read a team statement

He will remain with the Test side in Sri Lanka, where his underlying recovery and management will go on under the supervision of the team’s medical staff, the release added.

The 22-year-old Shaheen, who has taken 99 wickets in 25 Tests since making his presentation in 2018, drove the Pakistan pace assault remembering Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah for the match that finished on a strained fifth day.

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Opener Abdullah Shafique hit an unbeaten 160 to secure Pakistan’s record pursuit of 342 at the Galle International Stadium to lead the two-match series 1-0. Pakistan won the first Test by four wickets, and Afridi contributed four wickets. The second test in Galle begins on Sunday.