T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi onboarded by ICC as tournament ambassador

Shahid Afridi – Former Pakistan Cricketer (Source : X / Twitter)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has added another cricketing legend to its star-studded ambassador lineup for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to be co-hosted by West Indies and USA. Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is the latest addition as a member of the elite list. The legendary cricketer joins the likes of India’s Yuvraj Singh, West Indies’ Chris Gayle, and the fastest man ever Usain Bolt to promote the marquee event.

Afridi has been always associated with Pakistan’s greatest T20 World Cup memories. He played a heroic role in their run to the final in the inaugural 2007 edition, where he was named Player of the Tournament despite their loss to India in the finals.

However, the Men in Green lifted the trophy in the second edition in 2009, with Afridi delivering a Player of the Match performance in both the semi-final and final.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart. From being Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition to lifting the trophy in 2009, some of my favourite career highlights have come from competing on this stage,” Afridi told ICC.

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Particularly excited to witness IND-PAK fixture on June 09: Afridi

The former dashing all-rounder expressed his excitement for the marquee event which is set to begin on June 01 and also revealed that he is very much excited to witness the India vs Pakistan match.

“T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches, and even more drama than ever before. I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on June 09. It is one of the great rivalries in sport, and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams,” he added.

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ICC General Manager Claire Furlong highlighted Afridi’s stature and is very much pleased about the former cricketers’ association with the 30-day-long tournament.

“Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team? He’s a fan favourite around the world and alongside Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist Usain Bolt, will be bringing fans closer to the event ahead of what is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever,” he said.

The 20-team tournament will witness co-hosts USA taking on Canada in Dallas for the opening encounter. All eyes will then turn to the iconic India-Pakistan clash in New York on June 9th at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.