Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi reveals real age in autobiography

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi revealed his real age in his autobiography titled ‘Game Changer’.

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi revealed his real age in his autobiography titled ‘Game Changer’. According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, Afridi wrote in his book that he was born in 1975 and not 1980 as per the official records.

File image of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.(Getty Images)

This means that the 37-ball century — which he hit against Sri Lanka as a 16-year-old — actually came when he was 20-years-old.

Blaming the authorities for getting his age wrong back in the day, Afridi created more confusion by stating he was 19 at the time. If Afridi was born in 1975, then he should be 20 in 1996, when he hit the whirlwind knock against Sri Lanka. But the former all-rounder writes in his book that he was 19.

“Also, for the record, I was just nineteen, and not sixteen like they claim. I was born in 1975. So, yes, the authorities stated my age incorrectly,” Afridi was quoted as writing in his book by ESPN Cricinfo. 

Earlier, Afridi was in the news after he picked his all-time World Cup XI and there was no place in it for Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. The lone Indian in the side was current captain Virat Kohli.

Shahid Afridi’s all-time World Cup XI: Saeed Anwar, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Inzamam ul-Haq, Jacques Kallis, Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq

The exclusion of Sachin from the team came as a surprise as the batting maestro appeared in six editions. He scored 2278 runs in 44 innings at an average of 56.95 with 16 half-centuries and six centuries.

Also, MS Dhoni is perhaps the greatest finishers the game has ever seen and has also led India to a World Cup triumph back in 2011. The seasoned campaigner will once again be an integral member of the Indian side at this year’s World Cup.