Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shaheen Afridi

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Shaheen Afridi made an impact.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is a prominent Pakistani international cricketer, known for his left-arm fast bowling. He currently captains Pakistan's ODI team and previously led the T20I team. Afridi debuted internationally in 2018 and earned the prestigious ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year award in 2021, a first for Pakistan. He captained the Lahore Qalandars to victory in the Pakistan Super League in 2022, 2023 and 2025, making him the first captain to win three titles.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 2015: Under-16 Tour of Australia

In November 2015, Shaheen Afridi was selected for the Under-16 tour of Australia, where he took four wickets in the 2–1 victories in the One-Day and Twenty20 series.

December 2016: Inclusion in Pakistan Under-19 Team

In December 2016, Shaheen Afridi was included in the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team for the 2016 Under-19 Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka. He took 3 wickets for 27 runs in Pakistan's win over Singapore.

September 2017: Contract with Dhaka Dynamites & First-Class Debut

In early September 2017, Shaheen Afridi signed a two-year contract with Dhaka Dynamites. Later in September 26, 2017, he made his first-class debut for Khan Research Laboratories, taking 8 wickets for 39 runs in the second innings.

December 2017: Named in Pakistan's U-19 Cricket World Cup Squad

In December 2017, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

February 2018: Twenty20 Debut in PSL

On February 23, 2018, Shaheen Afridi made his Twenty20 debut for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

March 2018: Named in T20I Squad

In March 2018, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their series against the West Indies.

April 2018: Named in Pakistan Cup Squad & List A Debut

In April 2018, Shaheen Afridi was named in Baluchistan's squad for the 2018 Pakistan Cup. He made his List A debut for Baluchistan on April 25, 2018.

April 2018: T20I Debut

On April 3, 2018, Shaheen Afridi made his T20I debut for Pakistan against the West Indies.

September 2018: Named in ODI Squad & ODI Debut

In September 2018, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's One Day International (ODI) squad for the 2018 Asia Cup. He made his ODI debut for Pakistan against Afghanistan on September 21, 2018.

November 2018: Named in Test Squad

In November 2018, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's Test squad for their series against New Zealand.

December 2018: Test Debut

On December 3, 2018, Shaheen Afridi made his Test debut for Pakistan against New Zealand.

2018: International Debut

In 2018, Shaheen Shah Afridi made his international debut for the Pakistan national team.

April 2019: Named in Cricket World Cup Squad

In April 2019, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

July 2019: Selection for Rotterdam Rhinos

In July 2019, Shaheen Afridi was selected to play for the Rotterdam Rhinos in the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament.

July 2019: Youngest Bowler with a Five-Wicket Haul in World Cup

On July 5, 2019, Shaheen Afridi became the youngest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match, finishing with figures of 6/35 against Bangladesh. These were also the best bowling figures by a bowler for Pakistan in a World Cup match.

December 2019: First Five-Wicket Haul in Test Cricket

In December 2019, during the second Test match against Sri Lanka, Shaheen Afridi took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

December 2019: Signing with Hampshire

In December 2019, it was announced that Shaheen Afridi would play for Hampshire County Cricket Club in the 2020 T20 Blast in England.

June 2020: Named in Squad for England Tour

In June 2020, Shaheen Afridi was named in a 29-man squad for Pakistan's tour to England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 2020: Participation Confirmation in T20 Blast

In September 2020, Hampshire confirmed Shaheen Afridi's participation in the 2020 T20 Blast after fulfilling his national duties.

September 2020: Hat-trick and Best Bowling Figures at Rose Bowl

On September 20, 2020, in the final round of group matches in the T20 Blast, Shaheen Afridi took a hat-trick and four wickets in four balls, finishing with match figures of 6/19 and recording the best ever bowling figures at the Rose Bowl in T20 cricket.

October 2020: Second Five-Wicket Haul in T20s

On October 2, 2020, Shaheen Afridi took his second five-wicket haul in three T20 games, with figures of 5/20 in the 2020–21 National T20 Cup. Three days later, Afridi took another five-wicket haul, with 5/21 in the match against Sindh.

August 2021: Player of the Match against West Indies

In August 2021, during the second Test of the tour of West Indies, Shaheen Afridi was declared Player of the Match as he took 10 for 94, the best match figures by a Pakistan fast bowler since Mohammad Asif in 2006.

September 2021: Named in T20 World Cup Squad

In September 2021, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

October 2021: Signing with Middlesex

In October 2021, Shaheen Afridi signed with Middlesex to play in domestic matches in England until July 2022.

December 2021: Top Five in ICC Test Bowling Rankings

In December 2021, Shaheen Afridi entered the top five of the ICC Test bowling rankings for the first time in his career.

December 2021: Captain of Lahore Qalandars

In December 2021, Shaheen Afridi was named as the captain of Lahore Qalandars.

July 2022: Return to Pakistan

Shaheen Afridi returned to Pakistan in mid-May of July 2022 to prepare for the national team's home series against the West Indies.

2022: PSL Title with Lahore Qalandars

In 2022, Shaheen Afridi led Lahore Qalandars to a Pakistan Super League title.

2022: PSL Victory and Leading Wicket-Taker

Under Shaheen Afridi's captaincy, Lahore Qalandars won the 2022 PSL, making him the youngest captain to win a T20 league. He also ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.

January 2023: Lahore Qalandars' Kit Design

In January 2023, Shaheen Afridi was announced to be designing Lahore Qalandars' new kits for the 2023 PSL.

October 2023: 5-Wicket Haul Against Australia

In October 2023, Shaheen Afridi took a 5-wicket haul against Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup match.

November 2023: Top of ICC ODI Bowling Rankings & T20I Captain Appointment

In November 2023, Shaheen Afridi rose to the top of the ICC ODI bowling rankings for the first time and was appointed as T20I captain after Babar Azam resigned.

2023: Second PSL Title with Lahore Qalandars

In 2023, Shaheen Afridi led Lahore Qalandars to their second Pakistan Super League title.

May 2024: Named in T20 World Cup Squad

In May 2024, Shaheen Afridi was named in Pakistan's squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.

November 2024: Returned to Top of ICC ODI Bowling Rankings

In November 2024, Shaheen Afridi reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI bowling rankings after a series of strong white-ball performances.

December 2024: 100 T20I Wickets

In December 2024, Shaheen Afridi completed 100 T20I wickets against South Africa, becoming the third Pakistani to reach the mark. He was also the first Pakistani to reach 100 wickets in all three formats of international cricket and the youngest bowler to do so.

December 2024: Signed by Fortune Barishal

In December 2024, Shaheen Afridi was directly signed by Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League and debuted for them on December 30th.

June 2025: Nomination and Selection in Big Bash League

In June 2025, Shaheen Afridi was nominated for the Big Bash League (BBL) international player draft for the 2025–26 season and was selected first overall by the Brisbane Heat.

October 2025: Afridi's Performance and Captaincy in South Africa Series

In October 2025, during the home series against South Africa, Shaheen Afridi showcased his skills by taking crucial wickets in both Test and T20I matches. In the first Test, he exploited reverse swing to claim four wickets. On 20 October 2025, he was appointed as the ODI captain of the Pakistan team. In the third T20I, his new ball spell of 3/26, including two wickets in the first over, significantly impacted the game. As captain, Afridi led Pakistan to a historic ODI series victory against South Africa at home, demonstrating strategic leadership.

2025: 2025 Asia Cup Performance

During the 2025 Asia Cup, Shaheen Afridi took 10 wickets in seven matches, contributing significantly to Pakistan's performance, and helped the team recover in a Super Four match against Bangladesh by recording figures of 3 for 17 and adding useful 29 runs.