T20 World Cup 2021: Shaheen Afridi reveals special advice Shahid Afridi gave him ahead of India-Pakistan clash

Shaheen Afridi is possibly one of the most talented young players in the world at this moment. In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, he started the tournament with his Player of the Match bowling figures against India, which helped Pakistan beat their arch-rivals for the first time in World Cup history. 

In a recent interaction, the young pacer revealed what advice he got from his future father-in-law, Shahid Afridi. Apart from being in relation to the great all-rounder, Shaheen shares a few more things in common. Shahid wore the jersey No. 10 for Pakistan team for the longest. After he retired from the game, another Afridi took over the jersey number. 

During the chat, the 21-year-old revealed that Shahid Afridi was his hero and that he was the one who requested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to give him the number 10 jersey. Shaheen also has a similar celebration to Shahid. The former cricketer would often celebrate by spreading his arm in the air and standing at one position. Shaheen too has a similar celebration. 

Shaheen Afridi reveals how he got the iconic no. 10 jersey

“I have the number 10 because of Shahid Afridi because he’s my hero. I requested to the PCB that I want the number 10 shirt if possible. It’s an honor for me to wear this shirt. Every time in the ground, the people were chanting Afridi, Afridi. And now people chant Afridi, Afridi for me. So it’s a great feeling,” Shaheen was quoted by telegraph.co.uk.

Ahead of the crucial game against India, Shaheen had spoken in another interview saying that he would like to pick up the wickets of India’s top three. He ended up picking the wickets of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in his first two overs. He later came on to dismiss Virat Kohli. His performance made him even more popular back home in Pakistan. 

During the interview, Shaheen revealed what advice his future father in law had for him before the match. “Shahid Afridi called me before the India game and he said ‘just enjoy your cricket the way you play, go and focus on whatever you’re doing’,” Shaheen Afridi said.