Cricket

Pakistan's star pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has expressed his immense joy and gratitude after welcoming his first child, Aliyaar, with his wife Ansha Afridi. The couple's hearts are filled with love and happiness as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.Shaheen took to social media to share his heartfelt emotions, expressing his deep appreciation for his wife's unwavering support and the sacrifices she made during pregnancy. He acknowledged her as the backbone of their family, providing constant love and care.The cricketer also extended his gratitude to his fans and well-wishers for their outpouring of love and prayers. He urged them to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this special time.Shaheen, who is currently part of the Pakistan squad for the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, joined his family in Karachi after the team's defeat in Rawalpindi. Despite the setback, the pace spearhead remains focused on rejoining the squad before the start of the second Test on August 30.Shaheen and Ansha, the daughter of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, got engaged in 2021 and tied the knot in a private ceremony in February 2022. Their wedding celebrations spanned a week, culminating in Ansha's rukhsati in September 2023.The couple's journey to parenthood has been met with immense love and support from their families, friends, and fans. Shaheen's heartfelt message on social media reflects the profound joy and gratitude he feels as he embraces his new role as a father.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Ansha Afridi Welcome Their First Child, Ali YarPakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and his wife, Ansha Afridi, have welcomed their first child, a son named Ali Yar. The joyous news was shared by the Afridi family on social media, eliciting an outpouring of love and well wishes from fans and supporters worldwide.Afridi, known for his exceptional bowling skills, couldn't contain his excitement during the first Test match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. After taking the wicket of Hasan Mahmud on the fourth day of the game, he celebrated by mimicking cradling a newborn in his arms. This heartwarming gesture captured the attention of spectators and reflected the young father's immense love and affection for his child.The couple's journey to parenthood began in 2021 when Afridi got engaged to Ansha, the second-eldest daughter of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. Their nikah took place in a private ceremony in February 2022, followed by a week of wedding celebrations and Ansha's rukhsati in September 2023.The arrival of Ali Yar has brought immense joy to the Afridi family and the Pakistani sports community. Arshad Nadeem, who recently won the gold medal in men's javelin at the Paris Olympics 2024, took to social media to congratulate Shaheen and Ansha on their new role. Nadeem also wished Shahid Afridi on becoming a grandfather, showcasing the camaraderie and support within the Pakistani sports fraternity.Shaheen Shah Afridi's exceptional talent and dedication have made him one of the most promising young bowlers in the world. His wife, Ansha, has been a constant source of support throughout his career. The couple's first child, Ali Yar, is sure to bring even more happiness and fulfillment to their lives.

Pakistan's star pace bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has declared that his unwavering priority lies in securing victories for his nation, rather than pursuing the coveted role of captaincy. During a recent media interaction in Karachi, Afridi emphasized that leadership positions are not within his control and do not align with his personal aspirations."Pakistan's success takes precedence over everything else, followed by the team's performance, and only then do I come into the picture," Afridi asserted. "Dwelling on the past serves no purpose. My focus remains firmly on the present, and I refrain from speculating about the future. By excelling in the present, we can lay a solid foundation for the future. Captaincy is not something I can control, and it has never been a driving force in my cricketing journey. My sole motivation is to represent Pakistan with honor and dignity."Afridi's appointment as Pakistan's T20I captain came in the wake of the team's disappointing exit from the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. He led the side in a five-match series against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 1-4. Despite the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership abilities, Afridi's tenure as T20I captain was short-lived, as Babar Azam was reinstated as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.Afridi's candid remarks underscore his unwavering commitment to his role as a player, with an unwavering focus on contributing to the team's success rather than seeking personal accolades. His primary objective remains to help Pakistan achieve victories on the cricket field, regardless of his position or responsibilities.

Pakistan's star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are likely to be denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in the upcoming Global T20 Canada tournament, according to sources. The decision stems from the PCB's policy of prioritizing international commitments and safeguarding player fitness.Despite the tournament schedule not conflicting with Pakistan's international fixtures, the sources indicate that the players will not receive NOCs. Pakistan is set to play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting August 21, while the Global T20 Canada runs from July 25 to August 11.The PCB's stance is driven by the hectic schedule ahead for the players, particularly those involved in all formats. Star pacer Naseem Shah was also denied an NOC last week to feature in The Hundred due to concerns about his injury history.Apart from the star trio, other Pakistani players with Global T20 Canada contracts include Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, and Iftikhar Ahmed. PCB chairman Naqvi had earlier stated that NOCs would be granted based on specific criteria, including fitness and performance.However, Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillispie has hinted at the possible unavailability of Shaheen Afridi for the Test series against Bangladesh due to the impending birth of his first child.The PCB's decision to prioritize international commitments and player fitness is a significant development in Pakistani cricket. It reflects the board's commitment to building a strong and competitive team for the future.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Afridi is facing a potential absence from the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh due to the impending birth of his first child. Afridi and his wife Ansha, who tied the knot last year, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their bundle of joy.Pakistan's red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie, has indicated that Afridi may miss the Test series to be with his wife during this special time. "Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him [some] rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then," Gillespie said, as quoted by Geo News.Afridi's absence would be a significant blow to Pakistan's Test team, as he is one of their most potent bowlers. The left-arm pacer has been in impressive form lately, taking 18 wickets in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka.However, Afridi's personal life has also been in the spotlight recently, with reports surfacing about his alleged misbehavior with Pakistan coaches. During Pakistan's T20I tour of England, Afridi reportedly had heated arguments with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf.Sources informed Geo News that Afridi and Yousuf exchanged heated words, but the pacer later apologized to him. Multiple sources within the Pakistan cricket team management confirmed that the issue was resolved quickly.A source recalled the incident, stating that the heated exchange occurred during a training session when Yousuf pointed out Afridi's no-balls. Afridi reportedly became furious after being repeatedly called out for his no-balls."Shaheen said to Mohammad Yousuf to let him do what he was doing, and he [Yousuf] should mind his own business," a source told Geo News, adding that Yousuf responded that he was a coach and doing his job.Despite these off-field distractions, Afridi remains a key player for Pakistan. His absence from the Bangladesh Test series would be a major setback for the team, but it is understandable that he would want to be present for the birth of his first child.Pakistan's next white-ball series will begin in November against Australia. Before that, they will engage in red-ball cricket in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which will kick off on August 21.

Pakistan's star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been embroiled in a controversy after media reports alleged that he engaged in inappropriate behavior towards head coach Gary Kirsten and other coaching staff during the England tour and the T20 World Cup 2024.According to sources cited by Geo News, Afridi's alleged misbehavior included disrespectful language and confrontational behavior. The reports claimed that team managers were aware of the situation but failed to take any action against the pacer.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has remained silent on the matter, but Afridi took to social media to post a cryptic message. He shared a video of himself bowling at the nets with the caption "Rise Above."The allegations against Afridi have sparked widespread discussion and concern within the Pakistani cricket community. Some have questioned the PCB's handling of the situation, while others have defended Afridi, citing his exceptional talent and potential.Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed that Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz have been removed from the national selection committee. Razzaq was a member of both the men's and women's selection committees, while Riaz was a selector for the men's team.Sources have alleged that Riaz and former team manager Rana Mansoor were involved in providing undue favors to certain players, leading to their removal. The PCB has not officially commented on these allegations.The recent controversy surrounding Afridi and the changes to the selection committee highlight the ongoing challenges facing Pakistani cricket. The PCB is under pressure to maintain discipline and professionalism within the team while also fostering a positive and supportive environment for players.

Pakistan's cricket team has been embroiled in a controversy involving star seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is facing allegations of misconduct during the 2024 T20 World Cup. According to reports, Afridi's inappropriate behavior towards the national team's coaches and management has come under scrutiny, prompting an investigation into why no action was taken at the time.The incident was brought to light by former cricketer Wahab Riaz, who was recently removed from the national selection committee by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Riaz alleged that Afridi's behavior was unacceptable and that it had gone unpunished.The PCB has confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the facts surrounding the allegations. The board has also announced plans to restructure the selection committee, with new details about its composition to be revealed soon.Riaz's removal from the selection committee has sparked further controversy. The former fast bowler expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that he had served Pakistan cricket with dedication and sincerity. He also praised the coaching staff, led by head coach Gary Kirsten, for their vision for the team.The PCB's decision to remove Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee follows Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team was eliminated in the Group Stage after defeats to the USA and India.The allegations against Afridi and the subsequent investigation have cast a shadow over Pakistan cricket. The PCB is under pressure to take swift and decisive action to address the issue and restore confidence in the team.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has lauded Team India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, despite Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit.Afridi, who was stripped of his captaincy before the tournament, praised India's performance in the final against South Africa, which they won by a narrow margin. "Both teams played well. On the day, whichever team handles the pressure better wins. India played a good brand of cricket and deserved to win," he said.Afridi acknowledged India's late bowling heroics, led by Jasprit Bumrah, which turned the tide in their favor. He also expressed his admiration for India's overall performance throughout the tournament.Despite Pakistan's early exit, Afridi remained optimistic about the team's future. "Strong teams compete in the World Cup and they come after going through a process. I think we need to correct a few things and if we work hard, results will be with us," he said.Afridi's comments come amidst calls from former cricketers and fans for a major overhaul of the Pakistan team. However, he believes that the team has the potential to bounce back with the right approach."We have a lot of talent in Pakistan. We just need to find the right combination and work together as a unit. I am confident that we can achieve success in the future," he added.

Former Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has vehemently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its inconsistent and unstable leadership decisions, particularly the recent removal of Shaheen Afridi as captain after just one series.Akram, in a viral video, expressed his disappointment with the PCB's lack of clarity and stability in leadership roles. He highlighted the abrupt replacement of Babar Azam with Afridi as captain, followed by Afridi's removal after a single series loss."They replaced Babar with Shaheen as Pakistan captain. The latter lost one series and the chairman got changed during that phase. The newcomer asked to change the captain and got it done. This is just not on. People make fun of us in world cricket. They don't get it. If you have made (Shaheen) Afridi the captain, give him a year," Akram said.Akram further lamented that he and other former cricketers are fortunate to be away from Pakistan cricket, as it has become a source of constant criticism and politics. "They don't ask us. It's good that we are away from Pakistan cricket. It is a blessing in disguise because it is just criticism, politics," he added.Akram's comments come in the wake of Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated after losses to the USA and India. Babar Azam had stepped down as captain following Pakistan's poor showing in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup last year.Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain, while Shan Masood took over the red-ball leadership after the ODI World Cup campaign in November. However, Afridi's tenure as captain was short-lived, as Pakistan managed to win only one game in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.With the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as the new PCB chairman, Babar Azam was reinstated as the white-ball captain. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar also questioned the decision to appoint Babar Azam as captain in the first place."Who made Babar Azam captain at first place? Who was the Einstein by the way? I need to know that guy. Did he actually qualify for the job or not? Did he even know a thing or two about captaincy?" remarked Akhtar.