I’m not saying he’s the best. But when you talk about popularity, this guys as famous as you can get. The most popular Cricketer in the world?
Shahid Khan Afridi!
Hitting a six on the second ball he ever faced, and scoring a century in his first innings was just the start. Afridi has been the most entertaining cricketer in history. He bats, he bowls and he fields, he’s a triple threat who has all the talents within him.
Boom Boom Afridi won the hearts of not only Pakistani, but millions of other cricket fans around the world. The only one who rivals his popularity is Sachin Tendulkar. And as great as Sachin was, he could never be as entertaining as Afridi.
Afridi made hitting sixes popular. It was because of him that the trend spread where everyone wanted to hit sixes. In a country dominated by fast bowl passion, Afridi made spin- bowling and batting popular in Pakistan.
Scoring a six always attracts attention, scoring the most amount of sixes in history, attracts a lot of attention. Whenever he came to the crease, cheers and chants followed.
He has had his share of bad matches, but even in the most darkest moment of his career, no one ever stopped watching him play. And when he was at his best, never had watching cricket been more fun. There never was a better hitter than him, and there never will be a better hitter than him.
He’s famous not only for his work inside the pitch but also outside of it. He has been called the most charitable cricketer, and is the only cricketer to make the list of “Top 20 charitable Athlete’s” He has founded the Shahid Afridi Foundation, and has worked for the welfare of society.
A number of cricketers have acknowledged the fact that Afridi’s popularity is legendary, and some even say he’s their favorite cricketer.
Such is the greatness of Lala. We will always miss you from International cricket. Boom Boom Afridi!!
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