Shahid Afridi just revealed his real age after lying about it his entire career.
In his new book, ‘Game Changer,’ Lala revealed that when he earned his record-breaking 37-ball ODI century in 1996 being the youngest one to do it in all time, he was “just nineteen, and not sixteen like they claim. I was born in 1975.” That means that during his debut into cricket, Afridi was not 19, playing for the under-nineteen team, but 21 years old.
Evidently, in the sports world, Afridi’s age has been a bit of a topic of discussion. During his series of retirement announcements and comebacks, knowing his actual has been a bit of a joke for Pakistanis and cricket fans all over the world.
At least now they can know the truth and still have a laugh because honestly wtf Shahid, lmao.
#ShahidAfridi brans is not working
— Ilyas_Mamoon (@Mamoonilyas0) May 3, 2019
And it seems as though Twitter has caught the drift as well, but also,
But all GOT jokes aside, Shahid’s ‘white lie’ may cost him more than he possibly accounted for.
“I was 19 years old and not 16 as they claim when I made my debut. I was born in 1975"- Shahid Afridi
Cheater #ShahidAfridi still holds the record for youngest cricketer to hit ODI century. Also, who's going to tell him that 1996-1975=21 not 19 🤔 pic.twitter.com/0d5I5ihwtn
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) May 2, 2019
Because he stated that he was a few years younger when he started out, not only was he against the parameters of being on the under-nineteen team but his crowning glory, the ODI record he set, is being judged for legitimacy. Basically, it means that Afridi’s record may be completely wiped from the charts.
Fans are not happy with Lala and are fuming for some clarification.
https://twitter.com/SaudSuleman456/status/1124052765775466496
#GameChanger indeed.
https://twitter.com/Amermalik12/status/1123983583981461504
No one:
Shahid Afridi: I was born in 1975, but I was actually 19 when I hit that century in 1996, but I was also playing in an Under-19 tournament just before that pic.twitter.com/pUf88zVwpo
— Sahil Rizwan (@SahilRiz) May 3, 2019
Shahid Afridi has outed the most open secret in the world about his real age. It's funny how in the subcontinent athletes hide their age to compete in tournaments like U19s to get advantage. He played till 40 claiming to be 36.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) May 3, 2019
Meanwhile, Indians have caught wind of the news and have been since demanding an investigation into the matter.
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/1123705571868278784
Lol.
Shahid Afridi, in his autobiography, told that he was unaware of his real age in the past. Just like a patriotic Pakistani, who is also unaware and in denial about the real past of Pakistan
— Debarati (@Debarati_M) May 3, 2019
so Afridi is actually too old to unretire anymore
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 2, 2019
Feels sad, his age matter shadows his records. Why fake? Advantage when you play age age group matches like U19. It's cheating, we must not appreciate this.
— Saroj Lama Hewa (@sarojlh) May 3, 2019
Not sure what India’s role in this is considering that the ODI match was one against Sri Lanka and had literally nothing to do with India. But wHaTeVeR.
Individuals lying about their age in any kind of competitive league is not something wildly new for Pakistanis or athletes in general. However being so that Afridi’s case involves a record-breaking aspect, this is not an easy game to play out. We’ll just have to see what the Cricket Board decides and hope for the best for cricket and Lala.
Other parts of the book have also been popping into social media. Lala was particularly open about his intentions in the book and was also very clear in his contents in speaking illicitly of past coaches, namely Javed Miandad and Waqar Younis and some choice words on Imran Khan.
Alhamdulillah, #GameChanger is already making waves. But dont go for the media hype! To appreciate what @wajskhan & I have penned in my bio, please READ THE BOOK (yet to get my 1st copy!) If I've been tough on someone, I've given them credit where its due! #TruthFirst #HopeNotOut
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) May 2, 2019
It’s not Reham Khan’s exposé but it seems as though Shahid is not far from the heat judging by reader reactions already. Too soon to tell but maybe Afridi should be focusing more on the field than an actual field day.
Have you seen the conversation? What do you think is the right thing to do? Let us know in the comments below. Love you.
