Texas town creates: ‘Shahid Afridi Day’

Afridi is currently in the US on the Islamic Circle of North America’s invitation.

February 5 has been declared ‘Shahid Khan Afridi Day’ in the town of Port Arthur, Texas, by the city’s mayor Deloris ‘Bobbie’ Prince. Afridi was also presented with the keys to the town in a ceremony.

‘We join the world of cricket in thanking him for using his talents not only in cricket but… to help support those who truly deserve happiness’, the declaration issued by the city stated. It added that ‘the world of cricket and the Pakistan national team is blessed to have Mr Afridi as one of its members’. Chair of the Afridi Foundation Anjum Tahirkheli said Afridi was honoured and this was a ‘great moment’ for him.

Afridi is currently in the US on the Islamic Circle of North America’s (ICNA) invitation. He will be visiting New York, New Jersey and Florida over the next three days, according to ICNA. A cricket camp and banquet dinner has been organised in New Jersey to mark the visit. Afridi has also visited Louisiana and Texas, where he has been fundraising for his Shahid Afridi Foundation. According to the Foundation, construction on a hospital and school in Pakistan is currently underway.

During his 17-year ODI career, Afridi represented Pakistan in 373 matches, scoring 7,516 runs besides taking 375 wickets. He has also played 70 T20 matches scoring 1,044 runs besides claiming 73 wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2014.