Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and his wife, Ansha Afridi, have welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Ali Yar. The joyful news was announced by the Afridi family on social media, where fans and well-wishers from around the world offered their congratulations.
The birth of their son is a significant moment for the cricketing family, as former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Khan Afridi, Shaheen’s father-in-law, has become a grandfather for the first time.
In July, reports surfaced that Shaheen and Ansha were expecting their first child. Pakistan’s red ball coach, Jason Gillespie, had mentioned the possibility of Shaheen missing the then-upcoming Test series against Bangladesh due to the impending arrival. “Shaheen may miss the Bangladesh Test matches due to the birth of his child. We can give him some rest if he wishes to stay with his wife during this time,” Gillespie was quoted as saying.
Pakistan is currently engaged in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, with the first Test starting on August 21.
Shaheen, a left-arm fast bowler, got engaged to Ansha Shahid, the second-eldest daughter of former national cricket team captain Shahid Afridi, in 2021. Their nikah ceremony took place in a private daytime affair on February 3, 2022. The couple’s week-long wedding festivities and rukhsati were held in September 2023, culminating in a reception at the DHA Golf and Country Club, attended by many of Shaheen’s national cricket teammates.
