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A budding cricketer from Pakistan has defied the odds after mastering the sport despite having only one leg.
Syed Sher Ali Afridi, 23, from Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, lost his left leg at the age of just 2 when his family mud house collapsed due to heavy rains. But the tragedy didn't stop him from loving the game of cricket.
He is currently the main fast bowler of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket team
Afridi limps but that doesn't stop him from running fast, being aggressive in the field and producing a decent pace when bowling.
Afridi, who is the eldest among the six siblings, explained: "I was only two years old when our house collapsed and I lost my leg. Since then I started using a prosthetic leg for my daily routine."
"I went to high school, played cricket with boys in the neighbourhood and helped my family at home like normal people do," Afridi said.
"I groomed myself in such a way since my childhood that I never felt that I'm disabled. I always give my best and rest I leave to God."
Dubbed an express bowler, Afridi is a big fan of former Pakistani international, and one of the fastest bowlers the game has ever seen, Shoaib Akhtar.
"He is my inspiration. He is my hero. I loved to watch him run in and bowl at such an incredible pace," Afridi said.
The 189cm tall Afridi says he never thought he would play professional cricket, but six years ago life changed for him when he heard about an international match for disabled cricketers.
"I was always passionate about cricket. I love playing the game since my childhood but the thoughts to play professional cricket and represent the country at international level never crossed my mind.
"In 2012, I heard for the first time that Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association is organising trials for disabled cricketers. I participated in the trials.
"The coaches and the management were impressed with my bowling. I was selected for the Peshawar team."
After playing for the Peshawar team for almost three years, Afridi impressed the selectors with several match winning performances.
In 2015, he was picked for the national side and played his first international match against England in Dubai.
His father, Momin Khan, said: "I'm very happy for my son. He has made us proud. I wish him more success and hope that one day he will make the entire Pakistan proud."
Afridi, who started playing cricket as a batsmen dreams to be the best bowler in para cricket.
"I'm very thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association for giving me a chance to play for Pakistan and provide all the cricketing facilities.
"I'm hopeful that one day I will become the best bowler in the world and will make my fellow Pakistanis feel proud," he added.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...dream-as-a-pakistan-international-fast-bowler
Syed Sher Ali Afridi, 23, from Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, lost his left leg at the age of just 2 when his family mud house collapsed due to heavy rains. But the tragedy didn't stop him from loving the game of cricket.
He is currently the main fast bowler of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket team
Afridi limps but that doesn't stop him from running fast, being aggressive in the field and producing a decent pace when bowling.
Afridi, who is the eldest among the six siblings, explained: "I was only two years old when our house collapsed and I lost my leg. Since then I started using a prosthetic leg for my daily routine."
"I went to high school, played cricket with boys in the neighbourhood and helped my family at home like normal people do," Afridi said.
"I groomed myself in such a way since my childhood that I never felt that I'm disabled. I always give my best and rest I leave to God."
Dubbed an express bowler, Afridi is a big fan of former Pakistani international, and one of the fastest bowlers the game has ever seen, Shoaib Akhtar.
"He is my inspiration. He is my hero. I loved to watch him run in and bowl at such an incredible pace," Afridi said.
The 189cm tall Afridi says he never thought he would play professional cricket, but six years ago life changed for him when he heard about an international match for disabled cricketers.
"I was always passionate about cricket. I love playing the game since my childhood but the thoughts to play professional cricket and represent the country at international level never crossed my mind.
"In 2012, I heard for the first time that Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association is organising trials for disabled cricketers. I participated in the trials.
"The coaches and the management were impressed with my bowling. I was selected for the Peshawar team."
After playing for the Peshawar team for almost three years, Afridi impressed the selectors with several match winning performances.
In 2015, he was picked for the national side and played his first international match against England in Dubai.
His father, Momin Khan, said: "I'm very happy for my son. He has made us proud. I wish him more success and hope that one day he will make the entire Pakistan proud."
Afridi, who started playing cricket as a batsmen dreams to be the best bowler in para cricket.
"I'm very thankful to the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association for giving me a chance to play for Pakistan and provide all the cricketing facilities.
"I'm hopeful that one day I will become the best bowler in the world and will make my fellow Pakistanis feel proud," he added.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket...dream-as-a-pakistan-international-fast-bowler
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