ICC names Shahid Afridi as "ambassador" for Men’s T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Friday that former Pakistan cricket team skipper Shahid Afridi has been named an ambassador for the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

"The explosive all-rounder joins fellow cricketing legends Yuvraj Singh and Chris Gayle, as well as sporting superstar Usain Bolt, as ambassadors in the lead-up to the biggest T20 World Cup ever staged," a press release from the ICC read.

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup is set to kickstart on June 1st. 

Afridi, who led Pakistan to victory and was named Player of the Tournament in the 2009 edition, will bring his illustrious cricketing experience to the event. 

According to the ICC, he will share his expert insights through a series of guest columns.

Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi expressed his excitement at being named an ambassador for the ICC tournament and said he is particularly looking forward to watching the Pakistan vs India match.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart. 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,” the cricket icon said.

“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," he continued.

“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,” Afridi added.