Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi (born March 1, 1980) popularly known as Shahid Afridi is a Pakistani cricketer who has represented Pakistan since 1996 in international cricket. He made his ODI debut on October 2, 1996 against Kenya at Nairobi and his Test debut on October 22, 1998 against Australia at Karachi. He has scored nearly 4,000 ODI runs at a strike rate of more than a run a ball and taken over 100 ODI wickets. He was brought on the team as a legspinner at the age of sixteen. He then gained fame as a slugger and began opening with Saeed Anwar. He holds the record for scoring the fastest century (which he scored on 37 balls)in One Day International. He also shares the record for the second fastest century (on 45 balls) in One Day International with Brian Lara. He is known as one of Pakistan's greatest all rounders.

A propensity for the unexpected, and a reputation for lacking patience while batting has meant that he has never been able to command a regular place in the Pakistan side. However, in the two games between Pakistan and India, contestested in 2005, that he participated in, Afridi made a massive impact, recording the fastest test half-century, and dismissing Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar three times, in helping Pakistan register an unlikely draw with an under-manned side.

External link

• Cricinfo page on Shahid Afridi