The ICC’s Men Cricketer of the Year award was given to Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi on Monday. During his 36 internationals, Shaheen took 78 wickets at an average of 22.20 with a best bowling figure of 6/51. In all three formats of the game, the tall Pakistani quick took out some of the best batsmen. During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE, where he impressed everyone with his speed and skills, he had a particular year to remember, reaching his peak during test matches and T20Is. During Pakistan’s run to the semi-final, he would pick up seven wickets in six matches. Throughout the year, he dominated the shortest format, taking 23 wickets in 21 matches with his death bowling improving steadily.
Sizzling spells, sheer display of pace and swing and some magical moments ✨
Shaheen Afridi was unstoppable in 2021 💥
More 👉 https://t.co/XsTeXTPTZl pic.twitter.com/oE3y3H2ZXB
— ICC (@ICC) January 24, 2022
Test cricket in New Zealand started slowly this year, but Afridi exploded during the home series against South Africa. On tours to Zimbabwe, West Indies, and Bangladesh throughout the rest of the year, he continued his brilliant form. In only nine matches, he took 47 wickets at an astonishing average of 17.06.
A high-pressure match against India was scheduled for October in Dubai. This will be both sides’ first T20 World Cup game with history well and truly against Pakistan. The opening burst by Afridi changed everything and elicited gasps from all at the wizardry displayed.
First, he would catch Rohit Sharma with a late in-dipper. KL Rahul was next to be dismissed with another stunning delivery, knocking over his stumps. The Indian team was unable to recover from this, falling to their first loss in a World Cup against Pakistan.
Virat Kohli was in awe of Afridi’s spell during the match-up. Kohli said after the match: “He put our batsmen under pressure immediately with the new ball, and he ran in with intensity, so as batsmen you had to be on your guard.”.
