Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi has become a father, welcoming a baby boy with his wife, Ansha Afridi, during the ongoing first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The couple has named their newborn son Aliyar.
The news was confirmed by the Afridi family on social media, where fans and well-wishers flooded in with congratulatory messages for the new parents. This milestone also holds special significance for Ansha’s father, the legendary Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who has now become a grandfather for the first time.
As the celebrations continue, speculation arises about Shaheen Afridi’s participation in the second Test against Bangladesh. Reports suggest that Shaheen Afridi might request leave from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to spend time with his family during this special period. Although the PCB has not yet issued an official statement, there are indications that Shaheen could miss the upcoming match.
Pakistan’s Test coach, Jason Gillespie, commented on the situation, stating, “Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him some rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then.”
Meanwhile, the first Test is progressing towards a potential draw. Pakistan posted an impressive first innings total of 448/6, but Bangladesh responded robustly, scoring 565 all out. As the match enters Day 4, Pakistan is back on the field, aiming to set a challenging target in their second innings.
