Pakistan’s tribal areas are famous all over the world for their zeal, and warriors. When it comes to sports, the region has given the world many famous squash players while a large number of cricketers have also emerged from there. Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association was also lucky in this regard and it also got many talented and best cricketers from the region, one of whom is Sher Ali Afridi, who strengthened the fast bowling department of Pakistan Disabled Cricket Team. One of the legs of this Pakhtun son, who stepped into the world of cricket in his youth by making Pakistan’s speed star Shoaib Akhtar an idol, is an artificial one. One of Sher Ali’s actions during bowling is reminiscent of Maxima, the hero of the famous Russian novelist Stanio Kovic, who had a wooden leg and performed many feats in the world of shipping.
Sher Ali came back to life in childhood dying. “At the age of two, the roof of a mud house collapsed, causing serious injuries to his left leg and amputation of his leg.” He told “I was buried in the rubble for an hour, Allah gave me life again, for which I am very grateful. Five or six years later, I was fitted with an artificial leg. I soon became proficient in walking and running with this prosthetic leg. My childhood was spent listening to people’s words and taunts. I used to fall in love with such things. I have been fond of playing volleyball since my childhood but even here I could not play volleyball. I was told that you are disabled, you cannot play, otherwise your other leg will also be lost.
Despite all this, Sher Ali Afridi used to practice regularly on the volleyball court, although he was frustrated and upset by such things, but he did not stop going to the volleyball court. No matter what you do at home, go to school; only his PT teacher Sajjad Sahib encouraged him in every possible way and urged him to go ahead and face the situation. His advice and support from his family enabled him to become an international cricketer. Surprisingly, Sher Ali, from Bara (FATA), played volleyball instead of cricket as a child. Was interested in cricket and all his school life revolved around this game. During his matriculation exams, he went to the cricket ground near the school to watch a cricket match to pass the time. Decided to become a bowler.
In fact, the beauty of the cricket ground and the fast bowler running to play on it had taken home in his heart. In those days, there were rumors in the world of cricket about fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Shane Bond. Sher Ali Afridi started copying Shoaib Akhtar and developed his bowling action in Shane Bond style. After the matriculation examination, he moved to Peshawar due to the tense situation in the tribal areas. From where he started playing regular cricket. Despite being disabled, he continued to play for normal teams and honed his fast bowling skills, at a time when his speed was over 135 kmph. Coaches Ali Hoti, Ali Akbar Shinwari, Sajid Shah and M Hashmat greatly encouraged and supported him in honing his cricket career. He has taken 18 wickets for Pakistan in international cricket, while playing a number of valuable innings in batting. Which is a perfect expression of their all-round abilities.
After the introduction of disabled cricket in Pakistan, he gave trials from Islamabad and was selected. In the early days of cricket, he was encouraged by Islamabad coach Muhammad Tahir to work with him to hone his bowling skills. Sher Ali Afridi bowled brilliantly in his first National Disabled Cricket Championship in Karachi. The bowling action similar to Shane Bond’s and then trying to be like Shoaib Akhtar made him stand out among his contemporaries in the first championship. He was soon selected in the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Team where he also got regular opportunities. “It all seemed like a dream to me.” Sher Ali Afridi said with a sigh. “I am jealous of myself that I played very little cricket and made Pakistan colorful. I got to play cricket in the grounds that millions of people dream about.”
For his consistent performances in domestic cricket, he was made the captain of the FATA team, after which he transformed the FATA team into a great combination. Now the FATA team is called the “giant color” in Pakistan’s disabled cricket. Sher Ali Afridi has also played cricket in England for which he is also very grateful to the PDCA. “Playing in England was one of the most memorable moments of my life.” He told “Spectators would be surprised to see my bowling in England and come to me and see my leg which is artificial, they can’t believe that anyone can bowl so fast even with an artificial leg.”I try to bowl as fast as I can and imitate my hero Shoaib Akhtar in this matter. I am sure I can bowl as fast as I can.”
The Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association (PDCA) is responsible for the promotion and expansion of the game through its associate and affiliate members throughout the country for all the Physically Disabled Cricketers of the country and PDCA is also recognized by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) who is the governing body of cricket in Pakistan.