Shaheen Afridi continues meteoric rise with PSL title

Pakistan's left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi continued his superb rise in international cricket, adding the Pakistan Super League title to his growing list of accolades.

Afridi enjoyed a stellar 2021, picking up 78 wickets in 36 international matches at an average of 22.20. His performances earned him the ICC cricketer of the year award. Not only did the 21-year-old become the first player from Pakistan to win the award, he was the youngest to do so.

The fast bowler aced the captaincy test as well this year, leading Lahore Qalandars to the PSL 2022 title.

In the final on Sunday, former Pakistan allrounder Mohammad Hafeez starred in Lahore's 42-run win over Multan Sultans.

The 41-year-old scored a 46-ball 69 to guide Qalandars to 180-5 in front of a packed 30,000 Gaddafi stadium.

Hafeez then chipped in with wickets of in-form opener Mohammad Rizwan (14) and Aamer Azmat (six) to help dismiss the defending champions for 138 in 19.3 overs.

1. Mohammed Rizwan (Multan Sultans, 546 runs, 68.25 average, 126.68 strike rate) Is there any more captivating cricketer at present? Perhaps only Shaheen Shah Afridi. AFP

Lahore were once the league's eternal wooden-spoon, finishing last in the first four editions before reaching the final in 2020. Now, under Afridi, they have risen to the top. He also finished as the top wicket-taker in the league with 20 scalps.

“It was a difficult responsibility when I was appointed captain, but thanks to family [and] Hafeez who supported throughout and everyone in the team,” Afridi said. “I want to give credit to everyone in the team as all of them put up their hands and contributed at different times.”

In the final, Hafeez struck nine boundaries and a six during his knock, lifting Qalandars from a