Shaheen Shah Afridi wins ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award

Shaheen Shah Afridi, an impressive fast bowler of Pakistan cricket team, has been named Men’s Cricketer of the Year on Monday for his magnificent performance in 2021.

The Pakistan quick took 78 wickets in 36 internationals at an average of 22.20 with best bowling figures of 6 for 51. 

Also read: Smriti Mandhana wins ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award

Shaheen Shah Afridi was in great form throughout the 2021 season, knocking some of the best batters over across all three formats of the game. He especially had a year to remember in Tests and T20Is, reaching his peak during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in UAE where he impressed one and all with his sheer speed and skills. He would take seven wickets in six matches during the tournament in Pakistan’s run to the semi-final. He ruled the shortest format throughout the calendar year, scalping 23 wickets in 21 matches with his death bowling improving by leaps and bounds.

Also read: India paid price for playing Ravichandran Ashwin in ODIs: Sanjay Manjrekar

After a slow start to the year in Test cricket in New Zealand, Afridi burst to life during the home series against South Africa. He continued his brilliant form throughout the rest of the year in the away tours of Zimbabwe, West Indies and Bangladesh. Overall, he claimed 47 wickets in only nine matches at a staggering average of 17.06.

In October, in a high pressure match against India in Dubai, Afridi’s opening burst changed the complexion of the match as India lost their first match against Pakistan in an ICC tournament. 

Also read: Casual approach responsible for India’s defeat against South Africa: Madan Lal

He would first trap Rohit Sharma with a late in-dipper. This would be followed by the dismissal of KL Rahul, who saw his stumps knocked over with another peach of a delivery. India simply could not recover from this, slumping to their first-ever defeat against Pakistan at a World Cup. Later on, he would also get the prized scalp of Virat Kohli in the death overs.

India opening batter Smriti Mandhana has been named as ICC Women’s Cricketer of 2021.