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The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday, May 24 announced Pakistan’s iconic all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the latest name on the star-studded roster of Ambassadors for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies which begins on June 1. The all-rounder joined other iconic names Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, and Usain Bolt as Ambassadors ahead of the biggest T20 World Cup ever.
A veteran of six T20 World Cups, two of which as captain, Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s 2009 triumph with a Player of the Match performance in the final at Lord’s and will feature in a range of promotional activities around the World Cup and lend expert insights to the event through a series of guest columns.
Shahid Afridi, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 winner, said: “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."
“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. I am particularly excited to witness the India vs 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,” he added.
Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager – Marketing and Communications, said: “Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team."
“He’s a fan favourite around the world and alongside Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and eight-time Olympic gold-medallist Usain Bolt, will be bringing fans closer to the event ahead of what is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever,” he further added.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be played from 1-29 June with co-hosts USA taking on Canada in the opening fixture at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. A total of 55 matches will be played by 20 teams across nine venues, culminating in the final on 29 June in Barbados in what will be the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever.
(With Inputs from Press Release)
