- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,982
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Last night, Pakistan’s valiant T20 Cricket World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking close against England, who defeated the mighty Shaheens by five wickets in a dramatic match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Gracious in victory throughout the Cup and humble in defeat at the close, the Pakistan team can hold their heads high—and we’re hoping they do—because over the course of each of their matches, every member of the team delivered a grooming masterclass with their precisely shaped beards, and free-flowing locks on top.
Nothing about the team screamed anything particularly left-of-field, or leg-side as we should probably say. Instead, the team sported perfectly-executed classics, groomed for the spotlight. Notepads ready?
As the most formidable bowling attack in the entire competition, the already blistering pace of Pakistan’s quicks was made only more lethal by the close-cropped hair of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the more elegant coif sported by nineteen-year-old, Naseem Shah. For the rest of the team, it was an exercise in the classics. Short back and sides, sometimes with a perfectly trimmed beard to match. Each shave rode the cheek line with razor-sharp precision. Bowlers managed to look effortlessly good, hurtling in-swingers, out-swingers, and vicious yorkers throughout the competition. Batsmen looked calm, and composed, kept centred by their more classic cuts and evenly-trimmed beards. We know the soccer World Cup has been a home for clean haircuts—but it was cricket’s turn this time.
Ruggedly chopped and textured cuts were the flavour of the month for most of the bowlers. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s joint-top wicket taker over the tournament, sported a more wild, spiked cut, with a chiselled beard that combined with his bowling, would’ve freaked out just about anyone at the receiving end of his 6’6” frame. The beard sported no patchiness either; solid, even, and most importantly, tidy.
Naseem Shah on the other hand showed more of his youth, sporting a more free-flowing, wavy hairstyle. One of the few Pakistanis to lean into more of a curl in his lustrous midnight-black hair. Viciously clean-shaven, Shah’s look was classy in every way.
Leading by example with the bat, Captain Babar Azam sported more of a close-cut beard, again, a razor-sharp line etched across each cheekbone. A classic cut up top faded cleanly into his beard below. All tournament, Azam was level-headed in front of the wicket, and had the grooming to back it up.
We can only assume that as the team packs their suitcases to head home, they’ve got a few extra bags to deal with all the combs, brushes, hair product, and razors that were required to keep the teams now-signature exemplary looks in check all tournament. Each member of the eleven that went to play on the pitch was the ideal how-to for growing and taking care of a beard and hairstyle—we might just need to put a bit more extra effort in.
And while being well-groomed might not have gotten Pakistan the trophy on the night, the other teams in the competition could take a note from the team on how to look presentable when the summer of cricket rolls around soon.
https://www.gq.com.au/grooming/hair...allery/dccce8f21c6bcb2854fd571cd940d652?pos=5
