The mutual respect between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan is unmistakable. Tasked with the responsibility of leading the franchise at the age of 21, Shaheen Shah Afridi turned around the fortunes of a mercurial franchise with a title win, leading them from the front with his bowling performances. Shaheen was incredible with the ball […]
The mutual respect between Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan is unmistakable. Tasked with the responsibility of leading the franchise at the age of 21, Shaheen Shah Afridi turned around the fortunes of a mercurial franchise with a title win, leading them from the front with his bowling performances.
Shaheen was incredible with the ball right through the tournament, and his aggressive tactics as captain earned plaudits from fans and critics alike. It’s only perhaps fitting that he is also the most humblest of captains. After the PSL 2022 final on Sunday night, Shaheen was seen lifting up losing captain Mohammad Rizwan of Multan Sultans in an incredible gesture.
Shaheen Hugging Rizwan …
pic.twitter.com/cnSoAa18gd
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) February 27, 2022
Pakistan national team colleagues, Shaheen and Rizwan share a mutual admiration that is well known publically.
Shaheen declared Rizwan a better captain than Babar Azam in an interview last year.
“I like Rizwan’s personality,” Shaheen had said as revealed by Cricket Pakistan. “I started playing domestic competition with him from KPK’s side and I would rate him as the best. Since Babar has done a fantastic job with the national team, I will rank him second.”
Earlier this year in the PSL, Shaheen and Rizwan had a funny face-off where Rizwan was seen sending air-hugs to Shaheen after the bowler feigned anger with a throw back at the batter.
The moment where he lifted losing captain Rizwan stands as a pillar of evidence to Shaheen’s incredible leadership in his debut season as captain of Lahore Qalandars. Earning rave reviews for his leadership from within and outside the team, Shaheen Afridi, at 21, is already a national hero.
“Shaheen and myself have a good relationship,” Lahore Qalandars teammate and former South Africa and Namibia international player David Wiese told ESPNcricinfo. “We’ve been playing together for a long time now, and he’s still a young captain and he is still learning. He’s not shy to come to senior players and myself and whoever if he needs advice and he is always open to suggestions. I think he’s done fantastically well.”
“It’s first season as captain, you know, he goes with his instincts a lot of times,” Wiese said. “There are a lot of times that that’s the way to go. I’m really fortunate to have played this game for a long time now and to have ample experience and it’s nice to be able to pass that knowledge on to him. He is a fantastic leader and the guys really respect him in the team and he has done an amazing job as captain this season.”
Girte hain Sheh’sawaar hi maidaane Jang me!@MultanSultans played like champions & champs get up after being knocked out. Yaqeen rakhna hai. Thanks to all the fans, staff, players, coaches & owner.
Really happy for LQ. Or @iShaheenAfridi ki jeet, meri jeet hai. #Pakistan #PSL7 pic.twitter.com/KKDaBxR9p3
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) February 27, 2022
Mohammad Rizwan, meanwhile, shared his emotions on social media, hailing Shaheen and his team. “Shaheen’s win is mine too” summarised the selfless player and human that Rizwan is.
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