February 16, 2024

From Player to Leader: Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Unexpected Journey to Lahore Qalandars’ Captaincy – Pakistan Super League

Pakistan’s exceptional fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi recently shared the inspiring story behind his rise to the captaincy of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Surprisingly, Afridi disclosed that he initially had aspirations for leadership roles once he received motivation from former Pakistan cricket team captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan.

This significant turning point in Afridi’s career came in December 2021 when he was appointed captain of the Lahore Qalandars. Despite having no prior experience in captaincy, the talented left-arm bowler quickly proved his leadership skills on the field. Under his guidance, the Qalandars claimed back-to-back PSL titles. In 2022, Pakistani cricketer Shaheen Shah Afridi made history by becoming the youngest captain to win a T20 league title. 

As if this achievement wasn’t remarkable enough, Afridi simultaneously excelled in his primary role as a fast bowler. He took the 2022 edition of the PSL by storm, emerging as the leading wicket-taker with an impressive 20 scalps in just 13 matches at an average of 19.70 while maintaining an economy rate of 7.57. In an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, the humble 23-year-old shared that despite his initial reservations, he found it hard to refuse the suggestion from Imran Khan, a cricketing legend and esteemed figure in Pakistan.

Afridi’s meteoric rise to captaincy and subsequent success are testaments to the power of self-belief, determination, and proper guidance. His journey has left an indelible mark on the Lahore Qalandars and the cricketing world, inspiring countless young players and fans alike. The left-arm speedster’s remarkable transformation from an exceptional player to an outstanding leader remains an enduring story of triumph that will continue to captivate and motivate future generations.

“I have not captained at any age level, really, maybe once at Under-19 level,” he said. “I never even had an interest in captaincy. But then in 2021, I was sitting in the PM office with Sameen bhai [Lahore Qalandars owner] and Aqib Javed and Imran Khan [then Pakistan Prime Minister] suggested that I be appointed captain.”

“Obviously, you can never say no to Imran bhai. After that I became captain of Lahore. I was vice-captain, but when Imran bhai said I should be captain, that’s when the change happened,” he added.

The young cricketer’s impressive performance as captain in the PSL caught the attention of the national selectors, leading to his appointment as Pakistan’s captain for the 20l series. However, the highly anticipated New Zealand tour proved to be a challenging experience, with Pakistan suffering a disappointing 1-4 defeat in the five-match T201 series.

Despite the unfavorable outcome, Afridi’s leadership capabilities continued to evolve throughout the series. He demonstrated maturity and composure in handling the pressure of international cricket, further solidifying his position as a promising leader for Pakistan’s future. Although the New Zealand tour may not have yielded the desired results, the valuable lessons learned during this time have undoubtedly contributed to Afridi’s growth as a captain and player.

“Imran Khan said most great fast bowlers have been captains” – Shaheen Shah Afridi

In a heartwarming gesture, Shaheen Shah Afridi disclosed that he personally expressed his gratitude to Imran Khan following the Lahore Qalandars’ momentous PSL title victory in 2022. Recounting the emotional meeting, Afridi shared:

“When we won the title in 2022, I went to meet Imran [Khan] bhai and told him ‘at least we’ve now won one title!’ And I thanked him at the time for showing faith in me. That’s when my captaincy started, until then I had no interest.”

“Imran said most great fast bowlers have been captains because fast bowlers have the authority to set fields and they understand other fast bowlers, concerning what they need and what they’re going through,” he added.

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