SHARJAH – Pakistan’s former captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi turned 38 on Thursday, March 1.
Afridi, who is currently the playing president of the Karachi Kings, is currently in the UAE for the pool matches of the third edition of the Pakistan Super League, where his side have won all three of their matches ahead of his birthday.
In last two editions of the league, he was the president and player of Peshawar Zalmi.
Congratulations poured in for Afridi on Thursday, with legends of the game, past and present sending in their best wishes.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 1, 2018
Thank u brother ? https://t.co/Dv3Xcpv890
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 1, 2018
Leading wicket taking spin bowler for Pakistan in ODI.
Leading wicket taker in T20Is.
The Man of the Final WT20 2009.
A record-breaking 37 ball ODI Century.
An icon of Pakistani brand of cricket.
Happy Birthday Lala @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/zWuRV0IC9c— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) March 1, 2018
A record-breaking 37 ball ? in his first ODI innings at the age of 16.
8,064 runs, 395 wickets in ODIs.
The record wicket-taker in T20Is with 97 wickets.Happy Birthday to Boom Boom @SAfridiOfficial! pic.twitter.com/pYdd4XMxQ0
— ICC (@ICC) March 1, 2018
In a latest tweet, he thanked his fans and followers for wishing him on this day saying, “It’s another year to look back and learn and look forward in hope, to deliver for my nation and fans. I thank you all for wishing me birthday, all of you are the source of my joy and happiness.”
It’s another year to look back and learn and look forward in hope, to deliver for my nation and fans. I thank you all for wishing me birthday, all of you are the source of my joy and happiness #HopeNotOut pic.twitter.com/mtz2Ni14re
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) February 28, 2018
Afridi has played 27 Test matches, 398 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 98 T20 matches. He made his ODI debut in October 1996, Test debut in October 1998 and T20 debut in August 2006.
He has taken 48 Test, 392 ODI, and 97 T20 wickets.
Afridi became famous due to his hard-hitting batting especially after he broke the record of fastest ODI century after reaching his hundred in just 37 balls in his first international innings at the age of 16.
Afridi is also a philanthropist and owner of Shahid Afridi Foundation.