Asia Cup star Shaheen Afridi’s sweet gesture to first-time dad Jasprit Bumrah despite fierce rivalry
INDIAN cricket ace Jasprit Bumrah was congratulated by Shaheen Afridi ahead of the Asia Cup game this week between Pakistan and India after the birth of Bumrah’s first child.
In the heart-warming video posted by the Pakistan Cricket Board on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Pakistan bowler is seen talking to Jasprit Bumrah about the birth of his new child.
In the viral social media video, Afridi can be heard saying in Hindi: “May God always keep your child happy and may he become the new Bumrah one day.”
Afridi, known for his devastating bowling, also gave the Indian star a red gift wrapped box as a present.
Bumrah was touched and called the gesture by a fierce rival ‘very sweet’.
Jasprit and his wife Sanjana Ganesan welcomed their baby boy earlier this month.
They announced it on X and Instagram saying: “Our little family has grown & our hearts are fuller than we could ever imagine!
“This morning we welcomed our little boy, Angad Jasprit Bumrah into the world.
“We are over the moon and can’t wait for everything this new chapter of our lives brings with it.”
The cricketer had rushed back to Mumbai to be with his TV presenter wife, meaning he missed a clash with Nepal in the Asia Cup.
The pair have been married since 2021 and this is their first child.
The fast bowler, nicknamed Boom Boom, is hoping to play a key role in India’s hunt for silverware as they continue to compete in the Asia Cup and then the ODI World Cup starting in India next month.
Bumrah, nicknamed Boom Boom, made his first international debut in 2016 and is renowned as one of the best fast bowlers in the world.
In just 30 tests he has 128 wickets at an average of 21.99 as well as 256 at 21.54 in 210 T20s and 121 at 24.30 in 72 ODIs, before adding to his tally today.
He is best known for his unusual action, a result of learning to bowl in his garden at home with limited space, and his searing pace in excess of 90mph.