The 21-year-old Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Year Award. Afridi has taken 78 wickets in 36 matches at an average of 22.20. He has become the youngest player to be awarded the Sir Garfield Trophy.
Azam demonstrated exceptional bowling skills as he dismissed some of the top-batters in all formats. From Test to ODIs to T20Is, Shaheen Shah Afridi outperformed in every format at an impressive bowling average. It was his daunting opening spell against Indian batters in the ICC T20I World Cup Match 2021 that Afridi exhibited his maximum potential. He left cricket fans across the world gasping for his fiery spell.
Pehle hi bta diya tha ke @iShaheenAfridi number 1 hai. Congratulations on winning the ICC player of the year award. You deserve it Shaheenay. Lots of love and prayers for u and Pakistan cricket’s success. #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/O0meTqgxPv
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) January 24, 2022
Read more: WATCH: Shaheen Shah Afridi meets young fans in adorable video
Moreover, Shaheen Shah Afridi was included in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year. Pakistani players are ruling the ICC 2021 rankings. Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been included in several rankings and categories released by ICC.
Social media is brimmed with messages of felicitation for the player. “First ever Pakistani to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the year. – Shaheen Shah Afridi. Well done boy,” said sports journalist, Faizan Lakhani.
“Pehle hi bta diya tha ke @iShaheenAfridi number 1 hai. Congratulations on winning the ICC player of the year award. You deserve it Shaheenay. Lots of love and prayers for u and Pakistan cricket’s success,” wrote fellow player, Shadab Khan, as he congratulated Shaheen Shah on his success.
“What a great honor! Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Eagle of Pakistan, may you continue to shine for Pakistan,” wrote Muhammad Rizwan on Twitter.
What a great honor!
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Eagle of Pakistan, may you continue to shine for Pakistan. @iShaheenAfridi https://t.co/s2kPo48K1Q
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) January 24, 2022
Read more: Pakistani speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi claims four wickets in four balls
On the other hand, excited fans are sharing the videos and pictures of his memorable performances last year including his three crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and the-then Indian skipper, Virat Kohli in the ICC T20 World Cup match.