Pakistan's premier fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, has recently welcomed a baby boy with his wife, Ansha Afridi, amidst the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The couple has joyfully named their first child Aliyar. The Afridi family shared the happy news on social media, where Shaheen's fans and well-wishers have been extending their congratulations on his new role as a father.
This momentous occasion is also significant for Ansha Afridi's father, the legendary Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, as he becomes a grandfather for the first time. Earlier, Jason Gillespie, the Pakistan red-ball coach, had mentioned the possibility of Shaheen missing the Test series against Bangladesh due to the birth of his child. “Shaheen can miss the Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth.
We can give him some rest if he chooses to stay with his wife during this time,” Gillespie had said. Shaheen is currently participating in the opening Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Earlier this year, in February, Shaheen tied the knot with Ansha in a private nikah ceremony after their engagement in 2021.
Upon entering parenthood, Shaheen received an outpouring of congratulatory messages from the cricket community. Arshad Nadeem, who recently secured a gold medal in men’s javelin at the Paris Olympics 2024, extended his well wishes to the Pakistani fast bowler. Nadeem, who also set an Olympic record with a throw of 92.
97 meters, congratulated Shah.