Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi made headlines with a recent visit to Old Trafford, the historic home of Manchester United.
The fast bowler, currently enjoying a break in the United Kingdom after a taxing cricket season, was warmly received by the football club during his time in Manchester.
Afridi's visit to Old Trafford, initially thought to be a casual stop, turned out to be a significant event as he was invited to launch the new Manchester United kit.
This marked a milestone, as Afridi became the first Muslim, Asian, and Pakistani athlete to officially unveil the football club’s new attire.
During the visit, Shaheen Afridi was presented with a personalised Manchester United jersey bearing his name and the iconic No. 10, a number previously donned by legends such as David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Wayne Rooney.
The gesture by the club underscored the esteem in which Afridi is held, not only in the cricketing world but also in international sports.
A source within Manchester United disclosed, “Shaheen Shah Afridi was invited by the Old Trafford administration to launch the official kit, recognising his athletic achievements and aiming to inspire more young people to engage in sports. This collaboration is particularly meaningful, and we anticipate further partnerships with Shaheen in the future.”
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The event, captured on video, shows Afridi proudly wearing the Manchester United kit at the legendary stadium, symbolising a unique connection between cricket and football. The club shared images of Afridi exploring Old Trafford on their social media platforms, captioning one of the photos with "The eagle has landed," accompanied by an eagle emoji—a nod to Afridi's fierce reputation on the cricket field.
