The ICC (International Cricket Council), the international governing cricket body, has appointed the celebrated Pakistani cricket player Shahid Afridi as the brand ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 WC. This much-anticipated tournament will be co-hosted by the United States of America and the West Indies from the 1st till the 29th of June 2024.
Afridi joins an acclaimed group of brand ambassadors, which includes Indian cricket player Yuvraj Singh, Jamaican sprinting star Usain Bolt, and West Indies legend Chris Gayle. Their roles are to attend matches, promote the WC event, and engage with fans to promote cricket within the US.
The Curtain Raiser
The ICC WC begins on 1st June, with the co-host nation US battling Canada in Dallas at the Grand Prairie. The high-voltage clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for June 9th in New York, promising to be an exciting battle.
Shahid Afridi – The Fiery All-Rounder
Nicknamed Lala, Afridi was a fiery batsman as well as a skillful leg-spinner. His hostile batting fashion was ideally suited for the limited-overs format, particularly the T20 format.
Exploits in the T20 World Cup
Shahid Afridi’s exploits in the T20 WC are fabled. He was the Player of the Tournament in the initial edition in 2007, held in South Africa, where Pakistan closely lost the final to India.
During the 2nd ICC T20 WC edition in 2009, he played a critical role in Pakistan’s triumph. He was named Man of the Match in the semi-final against South Africa and the finals against Sri Lanka.
Afridi has also taken part in an astounding 6 Men’s T20 WCs, captaining the side in 2 editions. His achievements and experience make him the perfect ambassador for the forthcoming tournament.
Nurturing Cricket in the USA
As brand ambassadors, Afridi and his fellow legends will play an important role in promoting cricket within the US. Their presence is anticipated to produce substantial excitement and interest among American fans, possibly leading to the evolution of the sport in the region.
With the WC begin co-hosted by the USA, this presents a distinctive chance to present the game’s excellence and captivate a fresh audience. Afridi’s inclusion will without a doubt add to the event’s triumph and further cement cricket’s international appeal.
