When you think of modern-day cricketing giants, Shaheen Afridi’s name instantly comes to mind. Standing tall at almost two meters (1.98m), this left-arm quick has carved a reputation as one of the most feared fast bowlers in international cricket. From swinging the new ball with precision to nailing yorkers at the death, Afridi’s rise has been nothing short of inspiring.
Whether you’re a die-hard Pakistan cricket fan or just curious about this pace sensation, here’s a complete breakdown of Shaheen Afridi’s profile, age, career stats, and achievements—served up in a conversational and easy-to-read format.
Personal Profile of Shaheen Afridi
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Full Name: Shaheen Shah Afridi
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Date of Birth: April 6, 2000 (25 years old as of 2025)
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Birthplace: Khyber Agency, Pakistan
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Height: 1.98 meters (6’6”)
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Role: Frontline Bowler
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Batting Style: Left-Handed
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Bowling Style: Left-arm fast-medium
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Country: Pakistan
Fun fact: Did you know Shaheen Afridi is the youngest of seven brothers? His elder brother Riaz Afridi also represented Pakistan at the international level, proving that cricket runs deep in the Afridi family bloodline.
Shaheen Afridi’s Rise to Stardom
Shaheen’s journey started in the dusty pitches of Khyber Agency, where his towering frame and raw pace quickly set him apart. By his teenage years, he was already attracting attention at the domestic level. His breakthrough came when he impressed scouts during the Pakistan U-19 World Cup campaign in 2016, followed by a sensational debut in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2018 with Lahore Qalandars.
From there, he made a rapid climb into international cricket, debuting across all formats in 2018. And since then, he has been Pakistan’s go-to strike bowler.
Shaheen Afridi Batting Stats – More Than Just a Tail-Ender
While he’s known for his bowling, Shaheen has shown glimpses of handy batting, especially in crunch situations. Let’s look at how he’s fared with the bat across formats:
Test Matches
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Matches: 31
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Innings: 41
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Runs: 249
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Highest Score: 29
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Average: 8.03
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Strike Rate: 44.79
ODIs
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Matches: 64
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Innings: 37
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Runs: 261
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Highest Score: 25
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Average: 13.05
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Strike Rate: 84.2
T20Is
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Matches: 79
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Innings: 27
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Runs: 211
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Highest Score: 23
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Average: 12.41
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Strike Rate: 121.27
Takeaway: While batting isn’t his primary role, Shaheen has chipped in with quick runs down the order—often frustrating opposition bowlers who thought they had cleaned up Pakistan’s tail.
Shaheen Afridi Bowling Stats – The Numbers That Define His Legacy
This is where Shaheen Afridi truly shines. His bowling stats across all formats speak volumes about his consistency, skill, and match-winning ability.
Test Cricket
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Matches: 31
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Innings: 53
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Wickets: 116
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Best Bowling: 6/51 (innings), 10/94 (match)
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Average: 27.89
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Strike Rate: 53.12
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5-Wicket Hauls: 4
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10-Wicket Match Hauls: 1
ODI Cricket
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Matches: 64
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Innings: 63
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Wickets: 127
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Best Bowling: 6/35
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Average: 24.37
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Economy: 5.65
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Strike Rate: 25.89
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5-Wicket Hauls: 3
T20I Cricket
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Matches: 79
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Innings: 79
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Wickets: 102
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Best Bowling: 4/22
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Average: 22.13
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Economy: 7.9
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Strike Rate: 16.8
Highlight Moment: Remember the 2021 T20 World Cup clash against India? Shaheen dismantled India’s top order by dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early, swinging the game in Pakistan’s favor. That spell remains one of the most iconic moments in T20 World Cup history.
Career Timeline – Key Debuts and Milestones
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T20I Debut: vs West Indies, April 3, 2018 (National Stadium)
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Test Debut: vs New Zealand, December 3, 2018 (Sheikh Zayed Stadium)
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ODI Debut: vs Afghanistan, September 21, 2018 (Sheikh Zayed Stadium)
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Last Test (as of 2024): vs England, October 7, 2024 (Multan)
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Last ODI (as of 2025): vs India, February 23, 2025 (Dubai)
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Last T20I (as of 2025): vs New Zealand, March 23, 2025 (Bay Oval)
What Makes Shaheen Afridi Special?
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Deadly New-Ball Spells – His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him lethal in the first 10 overs.
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Yorker Specialist – Afridi’s toe-crushing yorkers at the death are a nightmare for batters.
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Big-Match Performer – He loves the big stage, often delivering in World Cups and against arch-rivals India.
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Leadership Qualities – Recently entrusted with vice-captaincy and PSL captaincy roles, showing his growth beyond just bowling.
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Consistency Across Formats – Unlike many pacers, Shaheen has maintained form in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Achievements and Highlights
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2021 ICC T20 World Cup Star: Player of the match vs India.
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ICC Rankings: Regularly ranked among the top 10 bowlers across formats.
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Youngest Pakistani to 100 Test Wickets: Achieved this milestone in record time.
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PSL Champion: A key figure for Lahore Qalandars, leading them to their first PSL title.
Challenges and Comebacks
Shaheen’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Injuries, particularly knee issues, have sidelined him at crucial times. Yet, his resilience stands out—he has bounced back stronger each time, proving his dedication to Pakistan cricket.
Also Read : Mohammed Siraj Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Shaheen Afridi’s Impact Beyond Cricket
Shaheen isn’t just a cricketer; he’s a youth icon in Pakistan. His humble personality, work ethic, and determination have made him a role model for aspiring fast bowlers worldwide. He often credits his family and fans for keeping him grounded.
Conclusion – Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan’s Modern-Day Pace Spearhead
At just 25, Shaheen Afridi has already achieved what many cricketers can only dream of—over 100 Test wickets, 100+ T20I wickets, and 120+ ODI wickets. His ability to deliver under pressure, combined with his towering presence, makes him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket today.
And the exciting part? He’s only getting started. With years of cricket still ahead of him, Shaheen Afridi is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest fast bowlers Pakistan has ever produced.
