The International Cricket Council on Friday named former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi as the ambassador for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The 20-over tournament will be jointly hosted by the USA and West Indies in 2024.
He joins an illustrious group of ambassadors, featuring India stalwart Yuvraj Singh, ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle and the fastest man on Earth Usain Bolt.
Afridi played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s journey to the final in the inaugural tournament in 2007 and their triumph in the 2009 edition.
Afridi came in clutch for Pakistan in both those years – he was Player of the Tournament in the 2007 edition where they fell on the final hurdle to arch-rivals India.
However, they were quick to put that loss behind them and got their hands on the trophy in the next edition, where Afridi was the Player of the Match in both the semi-final against South Africa and the finale for an all-round performance against Sri Lanka.
The former Pakistan captain cherished his memories of the T20 World Cup and expressed his elation at joining the upcoming edition as a tournament ambassador.
“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart,” said Afridi.
Afridi said: “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.”
“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,” Afridi said.
“I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. 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 said.
Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager – Marketing and Communications, added: “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.”
