Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi

Date of Birth: March 1, 1980, Khyber Agency  Test Debut: Against Australia at Karachi in 1998/99  ODI Debut: Against Kenya at Nairobi in 1996/97  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Leg Break Googly

An explosive all-rounder, Afridi was introduced to the world of cricket as a 16-year-old who surprised everyone by pinch-hitting the fastest one-day hundred in his maiden innings.

Shahid Afridi is a compulsive shot-maker which often has led him to failure and also led to his exclusion from the national team for a while.

Afridi is touted as one of many talented Pakistani players who have yet to live up to their country's expectations.

Afridi’s leg-spinners are underrated but he boasts a vicious faster ball, and his all-round skills are completed by agile fielding.

He has to his credit three centuries in One-Day Internationals and a blasting strike rate of above 100. With a track record which has led to his comeback in the team he will be relishing the chance of proving his critics wrong.

Strengths: Compulsive shotmaker; Can murder any attack on his day.

Weaknesses: Tends to throw away his wicket often.