PSL: When Shaheen Afridi wanted to sacrifice money for underperforming

He is only 18 but Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi’s ethics has already impressed a lot of people around him. The young pacer, who plays for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), reportedly went to the management offering to return all the money they had invested in him since he couldn’t deliver initially. But the management along with former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum who played for the Qalanders earlier assured him and the teenager started performing.

Afridi, who is currently playing for Pakistan in South Africa, had a decent Test series and played a crucial part in his team’s much-needed win in the fourth ODI in Johannesburg on Sunday. Last November, the Qalandars also made Afridi their ambassador in the fourth edition of the PSL starting February 14. In PSL 3, Afridi went without wickets for quite a few games before taking an incredible 5 for 4 runs against Multan Sultans to register one of the top bowling performances in the tournament.

Shaheen had once bowled Shahid Afridi but refrained from over celebration

Another moment when Shaheen won the fans’ hearts also came from the PSL last year when he bowled the other Afridi – Shahid – in a game but toned down his emotions to show his honour for the senior cricketer.

Faizan Lakhani, Karachi-based sports reporter of Geo News, shared the anecdote about Afridi’s humble nature in a tweet on Wednesday.

– @iShaheenAfridi is so humble & down to earth, when he was unable to deliver in initial games, he went to @lahoreqalandars management, said “I am unable to deliver, I want to return all the money back to you.” LQ management and @Bazmccullum gave him confidence & he delivered. https://t.co/o0vh5FehNI

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) January 30, 2019

McCullum, who had also encouraged Afridi after he approached the management, though parted ways with the Qalanders last year after two years of association. The Qalandars will feature in the first game of PSL 4 on February 14 as they will take on defending champions Islamabad United at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE.

Led by veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, the Qalandars will be a top draw this season owing to the presence of former South Africa national cricketer AB de Villiers in their ranks. De Villiers quit international cricket last year but continues to play franchise cricket.

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