Shaheen Afridi named Cricketer of the Year, became the first Pakistani to win Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy
He would take seven wickets in six matches during Pakistan’s progress to the semi-finals of the tournament. Throughout the calendar year, he dominated the shortest format, taking 23 wickets in 21 matches, with his bowling attack improving by great strides.
Afridi burst into life during the home series against South Africa, after a difficult start to the year in Test cricket in New Zealand. He maintained his outstanding form throughout the year’s away tours to Zimbabwe, the West Indies, and Bangladesh. In total, he took 47 wickets in nine matches at an astounding average of 17.06.
Afridi’s opening blast against India in Dubai last year in T20 World Cup, changed everything and drew audible gasps from everybody at the wizardry on display.
He’d begin by bringing down Rohit Sharma with a late in-dipper, which was followed by KL Rahul’s dismissal as his stumps were knocked over by another gem of a delivery. India simply could not recover from this, suffering their first-ever World Cup defeat to Pakistan. Later in the innings, he would also claim Virat Kohli’s prized scalp in the death overs.
The figures (3/31) simply do not do credit to what Shaheen demonstrated that tragic day in Dubai.