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Khan (Mongolian: хаан, xaan; Middle Mongolian: ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ, qaγan; Turkish: kağan or hakan; Ottoman: han; Old Turkic: , kaγan; Chinese: 可汗, kèhán) is an originally Altaic and subsequently Central Asian title for a sovereign or military ruler, widely used by medieval nomadic Turko-Mongol tribes living to the north of China. 'Khan' is also seen as a title in the Xianbei confederation^[1] for their chief between 283 and 289.^[2] The Rourans were the first people who used the titles Khagan and Khan for their emperors, replacing the Chanyu of the Xiongnu, whom Grousset and others assume to be Turkic.^[3] It was subsequently adopted by the Ashina before the Göktürks (hence the Turkic peoples) and the Mongols brought it to the rest of Asia. In the middle of the sixth century it was known as "Kagan – King of the Turks" to the Persians.^[1]

It now has many equivalent meanings such as commander, leader, or ruler. Presently Khans exist in South Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Turkey. The female alternatives are Khatun and Khanum, These titles or names are sometimes written as Han, Kan, Hakan, Hanum, or Hatun (in Turkey). Various Mongolic and Turkic peoples from Central Asia had given the title new prominence after the Mongol rule throughout the Old World and later brought the title "Khan" into Northern Asia. which later was adopted by locals in the country as a title. Khagan is rendered as Khan of Khans and was the title of Genghis Khan and the persons who are elected to rule the Mongol Empire. For instance Möngke Khan and Ogedei Khan will be "Khagans," but not Chagatai Khan who was not proclaimed ruler of the Mongol Empire by the kurultai.^[4]

Khanate rulers and dynasties[link]

Ruling Khans[link]

A khan controls a khanate (sometimes spelled chanat. Mongolian: хаант, khaant). In the Mongolian language, "khan" is also pronounced with double "a"s like "Khaan". Khaant means "with Khaan," like "Khaant ulus" or "nation with Khan" or khanate. Whenever appropriate as ruler of a monarchy, Khan is also translated as king.

Originally khans only headed relatively minor tribal entities, generally in or near the vast Eurasian steppe, the scene of an almost endless procession of nomadic people riding out into the history of the neighbouring sedentary regions.

Some managed to establish principalities of some importance for a while, as their military might repeatedly proved a serious threat to such empires as China and kingdoms in Central Asia.

One of the earliest notable examples of such principalities in Europe was Danube Bulgaria (presumably also Old Great Bulgaria), ruled by a khan or a kan at least from the 7th to the 9th century. It should be noted that the title "khan" is not attested directly in inscriptions and texts referring to Bulgar rulers – the only similar title found so far, Kanasubigi, has been found solely in the inscriptions of three consecutive Bulgarian rulers, namely Krum, Omurtag and Malamir (a grandfather, son and grandson). Starting from the compound, non-ruler titles that were attested among Bulgarian noble class such as kavkhan (vicekhan), tarkhan, and boritarkhan, scholars derive the title khan or kan for the early Bulgarian leader – if there was a vicekhan (kavkhan) there was probably a "full" khan, too. Compare also the rendition of the name of early Bulgarian ruler Pagan as Καμπαγάνος (Kampaganos), likely resulting from a misinterpretation of "Kan Pagan", in Patriarch Nicephorus's so-called Breviarium^[5] In general, however, the inscriptions as well as other sources designate the supreme ruler of Danube Bulgaria with titles that exist in the language in which they are written – archontеs, meaning 'commander or magistrate' in Greek, and knyaze, meaning 'duke' or 'prince' in Slavic. Among the best known Bulgar khans were: Khan Kubrat, founder of Great Bulgaria; Khan Asparukh, founder of Danubian Bulgaria (today's Bulgaria); Khan Tervel, who defeated the Arab invaders in 718 Siege of Constantinople (718), thus "saving Europe"; Khan Krum, "the Terrible". "Khan" was the official title of the ruler until 864 AD, when Kniaz Boris (known also as Tsar Boris I) adopted the Eastern Orthodox faith.^{[citation needed]}

Eurasia on the eve of the Mongol invasions, c. AD 1200.

The title Khan became unprecedently prominent when the Mongol Temüjin created the Mongol empire, the greatest land empire the world has ever seen, which he ruled as Genghis Khan. His title was khagan 'Khan of Khans', see below, but is often 'shortened' to Khan (rather like the Persian Shahanshah -also meaning 'King of Kings'- is usually called Shah, equally incorrect, in most Western languages) or described as 'Great Khan' (like the Ottoman Padishah being called 'Great Sultan'). The great leader was regarded as a khan in the middle east and Asia.

Ming Dynasty Chinese Emperors also used the term Xan to denote brave warriors and rulers.

The title Khan was also used to designate the greatest rulers of the Jurchens, who, later when known as the Manchus, founded the Mongolian-Manchu Qing dynasty of China. The Mongolian use title khan as lota of the Qing emperors, Bogd Khan, would later be used by the eighth Jebtsundamba Khutuktu after Mongolia's declaration of independence in 1911.

Once more, there would be numerous khanates in the steppe in and around Central Asia, often more of a people than a territorial state, e.g.:

• of the Kazakhs (founded 1465; since 1601 divided into three geographical Jüz or Hordes, each under a bey; in 1718 split into three different khanates; eliminated by the Russian Empire by 1847)
• in present Uzbekistan, the main khanate, named after its capital Buchara, was founded in 1500 and restyled emirate in 1753 (after three Persian governors since 1747); the Ferghana (valley's) khanate broke way from it by 1694 and became known as the Khanate of Kokand after its capital Kokand from its establishment in 1732; the khanate of Khwarezm, dating from c.1500, became the Khanate of Khiva in 1804 but fell soon under Russian protectorate; Karakalpakstan had its own rulers (khans?) since c. 1600.

While most Afghan principalities were styled emirate, there was a khanate of ethnic Uzbeks in Badakhshan since 1697.

Khan was the title of the rulers of various break-away states later reintegrated in Iran, e.g. 1747–1808 Khanate of Ardabil (in northwestern Iran east of Sarab and west of the southwest corner of the Caspian Sea), 1747–1813 Khanate of Khoy (northwestern Iran, north of Lake Urmia, between Tabriz and Lake Van), 1747–1829 Khanate of Maku (in extreme northwestern Iran, northwest of Khoy, and 60 miles south of Yerevan, Armenia), 1747–1790s Khanate of Sarab (northwestern Iran east of Tabriz), 1747 – c.1800 Khanate of Tabriz (capital of Iranian Azerbeidjan).

There were various small khanates in and near Transcaucasia. In present Armenia, there was a khanate of Erivan (sole incumbent 1807–1827 Hosein Quli Khan Qajar). Diverse khanates existed in Azerbaijan, including Baku (present capital), Ganja, Jawad, Quba (Kuba), Salyan, Shakki (Sheki, ruler style Bashchi since 1743) and Shirvan=Shamakha (1748–1786 temporarily split into Khoja Shamakha and Yeni Shamakha), Talysh (1747–1814); Nakhichevan and (Nagorno) Karabakh.

As hinted above, the title Khan was also common in some of the polities of the various – generally Islamic – peoples in the territories of the Mongol Golden Horde and its successor states, which, like the Mongols in general, were commonly called Ta(r)tars^[6] by Europeans and Russians, and were all eventually subdued by Muscovia which became the Russian Empire. The most important of these states were:

• Khanate of Kazan (the Mongol term khan became active since Genghizide dynasty was settled in Kazan Duchy in 1430s.
• Sibir Khanate (giving its name to Siberia as the first significant conquest during Russia's great eastern expansion across the Ural range) *Sibirean Khanate (giving its name to Siberia as the first significant conquest during Russia's great eastern expansion across the Ural range)
• Astrakhan Khanate
• Crimean Khanate.

Navaanneren, Minister of the Interior, who along with the 23rd Tushiyetu Khan Dorjsurenkhoroljav (1908-1937) was the last Genghisid Khan in Mongolia. He was executed during the great purges of 1937.

Further east, in imperial China's western Turkestan flank:

• Dörben Oyriad ('Four Confederates') or Dzungar (Kalmyk or Kalmuck people branch) Khanate formed in 1626, covering Xinjiang region of China, Kyrgyzstan, eastern Kazakhstan and western Mongolia; 2 Dec 1717–1720 also styled Protector of Tibet; 1755 tributary to China, 1756 annexed and dissolved in 1757
• Khanate of Kashgaria founded in 1514 as part of Djagataide Khanate; 17th century divided into several minor khanates without importance, real power going to the so-called Khwaja, Arabic Islamic religious leaders; title changed to Amir Khan in 1873, annexed by China in 1877.

Compound and derived princely titles[link]

The higher, rather imperial title Khaqan ("Khan of Khans") applies to probably the most famous rulers known as Khan: the Mongol imperial dynasty of Genghis Khan (his name was Temüjin, Genghis Khan a never fully understood unique title), and his successors, especially grandson Kublai Khan: the former founded the Mongol Empire and the latter founded the Yuan Dynasty in China. The ruling descendants of the main branch of Genghis Khan's dynasty are referred to as the Great Khans.

Mongol Empire's largest extent outlined in red; Timur's empire is shaded

The title Khan of Khans was among numerous titles used by the Sultans of the Ottoman empire as well as the rulers of the Golden Horde and its descendant states. The title Khan was also used in the Seljuk Turk dynasties of the near-east to designate a head of multiple tribes, clans or nations, who was below an Atabeg in rank. Jurchen and Manchu rulers also used the title Khan (Han in Manchu); for example, Nurhaci was called Genggiyen Han. Rulers of the Göktürks, Avars and Khazars used the higher title Kaghan, as rulers of distinct nations.

• Gur Khan, meaning supreme or universal Khan, was the ruler of the Turkic Kara-Kitai, and has occasionally been used by the Mongols as well

• Ilkhan, both a generic term for a 'provincial Khan' and traditional royal style for one of the four khanates in Genghis's succession, based in Persia. See the main article for more details.

• Khan-i-Khanan (Persian: خان خانان‎, "Lord of Lords") was a title given to the commander-in-chief of the army of the Mughals, an example being Abdur Rahim, Khan-i-Khanan of the great Mughal emperor Akbar's (and later his son Jahangir's) army.

• Khan Sahib Shri Babi was the complex title of the ruler of the South Asia princely state of Bantva-Manavadar (state founded 1760; September 1947 acceded to Pakistan, but 15 February 1948 forced to rescind accession to Pakistan, to accede to India after Khan Sahib's arrest).

• In southern Korean states, the word Han or Gan, meaning "leader", possibly derived from Khan, was used for various ruling princes, until Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, united them under a now hereditary king, titled Maripgan, meaning the 'head of kings' (e.g. King Naemul Maripgan).

• Khatun, or Khatan (Persian: خاتون‎) – a title of European Sogdian origin^[7][8][9] – is roughly equal to a King's queen in Mongolic and Turkic languages, as by this title a ruling Khan's Queen-consort (wife) is designated with similar respect after their proclamation as Khan and Khatun. Also used in Hazari (instead of Khanum). Famous Khatuns include:
  • Töregene Khatun
  • Habba Khatun
• Khanum (Turkish: Hanım, Azerbaijani: Xanım, Persian: خانم‎) is another female derivation of Khan, notably in Turkic languages, for a Khan's Queen-consort, or in some traditions extended as a courtesy title (a bit like Lady for women not married to a Lord, which is the situation modern Turkish) to the wives of holders of various other (lower) titles; in Afghanistan, for example, it ended up as the common term for 'Miss', any unmarried woman. In the modern Kazakh language, Khatun is a derogatory term for women, while Khanum has a respectful meaning.
  • The compound Galin Khanum – literally, "lady bride" – was the title accorded to the principal noble wife of a Qajar
• Khanzada (Persian: خانزاده‎)(the Persian suffix -zadeh means son or more generally male descendant; not to be confused with Khannazad: female harem attendant; for analogous titles see Prince of the Blood and links there) is a title conferred to princes of the dynasties of certain princely states, such as
  • Jandala (Muslim Jadoon dynasty, in Pakistan used always before the personal name, but itself preceded by Mir, both being maintained by the ruling Khan (who uses that title after his name)
  • Sardargarh-Bantva (Muslim Babi dynasty, fifth class state in Kathiawar, Gujarat) in front of the personal name, Shri in between; the ruler replaces Khanzada by khan.
• Khaqan or Khakhan (Persian: خاقان‎) is used as a title in Pakistan.
• Khandan (Persian: خاندان‎) ('Khan holder') means "Family" in Hindi-Urdu (ख़ानदान (Devanagari), خاندان (Nastaleeq)).

Other khans[link]

Noble and honorary titles[link]

In imperial Persia, Khan (female form Khanum) was the title of a nobleman, higher than Beg (or bey) and usually used after the given name. At the Qajar court, precedence for those not belonging to the dynasty was mainly structured in eight classes, each being granted an honorary rank title, the fourth of which was Khan, or in this context synonymously Amir, granted to commanders of armed forces, provincial tribal leaders; in descending order, they thus ranked below Nawab (for princes), Shakhs-i-Awwal and Janab (both for high officials), but above 'Ali Jah Muqarrab, 'Ali Jah, 'Ali Sha'an (these three for lower military ranks and civil servants) and finally 'Ali Qadir (masters of guilds, etc.)

The titles Khan (the lowest commonly awarded) and Khan Bahadur (Mongolic root baghatur, related to the Mongolian baatar 'brave, hero'; were also bestowed in feudal India by the Great mughal (whose protocol was largely Persian-inspired) upon Muslims, and later by the British Raj, as an honor akin to the ranks of nobility, often for loyalty to the crown. Khan Sahib was another title of honour, one degree higher than Khan, conferred on Muslims; again like Khan Bahadur, it was also awarded with a decoration during British rule.

In the major South Asian Muslim state of Hyderabad, Khan was the lowest of the aristocratic titles bestowed by the ruling Nizam upon Muslim retainers, ranking under Khan Bahadur, Nawab (homonymous with a high Muslim ruler's title), Jang, Daula, Mulk, Umara, Jah. The equivalent for the courts Hindu retainers was Rai.

In Swat, a Pakistani Frontier State, it was the title of the secular elite, who, together with the Mullahs (Muslim clerics), proceeded to elect a new Amir-i-Shariyat in 1914.

It seems unclear whether the series of titles known from the Bengal sultanate, including Khan, Khan ul Muazzam, Khan-ul-Azam, Khan-ul-Azam-ul-Muazzam etc. and Khaqan, Khaqan-ul-Muazzam, Khaqan-ul-Azam, Khaqan-ul-Azam-ul-Muazzam etc., are merely honorific or perhaps relate to a military hierarchy.

Other uses (surname)[link]

Like many titles, the meaning of the term has also extended downwards, until in Persia and Afghanistan it has become an affix to the name of any Muslim gentleman, like Effendi in Osmanli, Esquire in English.

See jirga for local mediators called Khan.

Khan and its female forms occur in many personal names, generally without any nobiliary of political relevance (although it remains a common part of noble names as well). Notably in South Asia it has become a part of many South Asian Muslim names, especially when Pashtun descent is claimed.

During the Russian Civil War following the Bolshevik takeover of 1917, White general Roman Ungern von Sternberg, who, admittedly was trying to reconstitute the empire of Genghis Khan, was often styled as "Ungern Khan" between 1919 and his death in 1921.

Khan-related terms[link]

• Khanzadeh (Tatar: Xanzadä) – a prince, khan's son
• Khanbikeh (Tatar: Xanbikä) – a queen, khan's wife
• Yuruk Khans in Ardemush or Erdemuş Village in Kailar. (see : Ottoman Tapu Archivies)

Other Meaning[link]

The title khan influenced Iran and the Muslim countries in Central Asia, but in Arab World (the origin of Islam), khan is the word for "inn" (its first use was applied to "inn for the caravans").

See also[link]

• Aga Khan
• Azmatkhan
• Khan Khel
• Khagan
• Archon
• King
• Meo
• Elteber
• Tsar
• Kaiser
• Crimean Khanate
• Khong Tayiji
• List of Mongol Khans

Notes[link]

Sources and references[link]

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 
• on-line encyclopaedia on all Bengal, in English
• Etymology OnLine
• RoyalArk- see under each present country
• Princely states in British India – look each up by name, in that section, BUT a taluq in Oudh in that section
• WorldStatesmen- see under each present country

Tassawar Khanum (born 1950) is a Pakistani Ghazal singer.^[1] She is most known for singing in Urdu and Punjabi in Pakistani films and television during the 1970s and 1980s. Her most popular songs are perhaps Tu Meri Zindagi Hai^[2] and Agar Tum Mil Jao.^[3]

Early life[link]

Tassawar Khanum was born in Karachi, Pakistan. During her childhood she was a neighbor of singer Pervaiz Mehdi who was a good friend of her father. She and her father would often go Pervaiz Mehdi's house him whilse he was practicing. It was Pervaiz Mehdi who asked her father to ensure that Tassawar received an education in music after he overheard her copying him while he practiced. After this she began to take music lessons with sarangi nawaz Ustadd Butta Ali Khan.

Career[link]

Tassawar Khanum first appeared on PTV. She was popular in 1970s and 80s when she sang film songs.

Filmography[link]

Personal life[link]

Tassawar Khanum was married to Rais Ghulam Ali Khan Muree in 1973 until his death in 1992. She has a son and two daughters and several grandchildren. - She got married right after she recorded her song in film Rangela. She has now one grandson and one grand daughter and she is very proud to be a grand mother.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

This article on a singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Farida Khanum
Farida Khanum rehearsing in December 2005
Background information
Birth name	Farida Khanum
Born	1935 (age 76–77)
Origin	Kolkata, India
Genres	Ghazal
Occupations	singer
Years active	1950–present

Farida Khanum (born 1935) is a Pakistani Ghazal singer from Punjab. The Times of India has called her "Malika-e-Ghazal" (Queen of Ghazal).^[1]

In 2005, she was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan's second highest civilian honour by President Pervez Musharraf.^{[citation needed]}

Early life[link]

Born in (1935) in Calcutta and raised in Amritsar. Her sister is Mukhtar Begum.^[2]

She started learning Khayal from her sister Mukhtar Begum at age seven and later learnt classical music from Ustad Ashiq Ali Khan. Her sister Mukhtar Begum would take her, a seven-year-old Farida, to Khan’s place for riyaaz.^[3][4] She migrated to Pakistan after partition of India in 1947.

Career[link]

Farida Khanum gave her first public concert in 1950 and then joined Radio Pakistan where she courted fame and fortune.^[1] She became a star when Pakistan’s president Ayub Khan invited her to a public recital in the ’60s.

The ghazal she is most associated with is Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Naa Karo.^[5]

Personal life[link]

Farida Khanum lives in Lahore, Pakistan. She has 1 son and 5 daughters. She lives with her second oldest daughter, and her only son, his wife and kids. One of her daughters lives with her husband and kids in New York, One of her daughters lives in Canada. Her youngest daughter is a specialist in endocrinology currently working in Services Hospital,Lahore and lives with her husband and kids.

Discography[link]

• 1978 Farida Khanum In Concert
• 1979 Farida Khanum In Concert Vol. 2
• 1985 Taghazzul Farida Khanum Vol 1
• 1980 Farida Khanum In Concert Vol. 3
• 1993 Farida Khanum: Meri Pasand Vol 2
• 1993 Farida Khanum: Meri Pasand Vol 1

References[link]

External links[link]

• Farida Khanum at the Internet Movie Database
• Farida Khannum gets Haafiz Ali Khan Award - Indian Express
• Interview with Farida Khanum

This Pakistani biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article about a Pakistani singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

احسان امان Ehsan Aman
Background information
Birth name	Ehsan Aman
Born	1959 Lashkargah, Afghanistan
Genres	Pop Dance
Occupations	Singer Composer Architecture Engineer
Instruments	Guitar, Harmonium, Accordion
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Fifth String Entertainment, Inc AKA Sound, Inc. Nala Studios

Ehsan Aman (احسان امان - Eḥsān Amān; b. 1959) is a singer from Afghanistan.^[1][2] He is one of the few veterans of Afghanistan’s lost music Golden Age who've maintained their popularity over the decades. He already had public exposure in Afghanistan in the 1970s and early 1980s with his first singles and the performances he held at Kabul University. Exiled since the early 80s in the U.S., he has continued writing and producing music in the state of Virginia, which has also been his residence since that time.

Aman is married to the daughter of late song writer Nainawaz.^[1][2]

Early life[link]

Ehsan was born in Lashkargah, Afghanistan, to Mohammad Aman Ibrahim, an engineer by profession. By caste he is Sarparah, whose lineage can be traced to the distinguished people of Helmand province.^[3] Ehsan's interest in music developed in early childhood when he learned to play the accordion. This led to his participation in his high school music functions that raised public support for his professional pursuit of music. After completing his high school education, Ehsan won a scholarship to enter Kabul University and he followed his father's footsteps to study.

Aman's serious interest in music began during university- during his attendance as a student, he held various live performances; Ehsan's popularity began to rise. However, there were tensions between Aman and media personalities- the adverse circumstances of the time period led to misinterpretation of his lyrics and contributed to negative publicity. His songs - which were regulars of Kabul Radio Station - were banned.

Career[link]

Ehsan’s early works included the hit single Bute' Daram, which he prepared as a gift for one of his relatives. Broadcast on radio, it immediately brought the singer to light. He was then requested by the radio staff for another song, to which he responded with Allah. This single, surpassing the popularity of his first number, was aired repeatedly gaining Ehsan immediate national attention. His quick fame led to provoking of resentment from others and led to fabrication of stories against the singer.^{[citation needed]} Avoiding a confrontation that could have cost him his life, he chose to leave the country. He arrived in Pakistan in 1981. In October 1982, he emigrated to the United States, re-kindling his musical pursuits. In spite of economic and technical difficulties, he collaborated with other exiled musicians from Afghanistan and, in 1983, he released his first album: Musafer.

However, burdened with family life and the adjustment to the adopted country, Ehsan limited his involvements from 1985 to 1993 to a career in engineering. After 1993, at the request of fans, he returned to music.

In January 2002, he was asked by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C. to re-arrange the national anthem of Afghanistan. He performed his rendition in front of a 3,500 member audience, achieving acclaim for his achievement.

Personal life[link]

In 1985, Ehsan married his wife Sahar who is the daughter of the late Afghan poet and composer Nainawaz. His wife supports his musical endeavors and often accompanies him to his concert performances. Ehsan is also a calligrapher and an avid tennis player. From 1976 to 1980, he was a member of the Afghan National Tennis Team, and participated in many international tennis competitions outside of Afghanistan.

Accolades[link]

• 1996: Artist of the Year. Afghan Youth Ballot. (Reported by Karwan Newspaper.)

Discography[link]

Videography[link]

References and footnotes[link]

• Ehsan Live in Concert. Ehsan’s Introduction. DVD Video. TriVision. 2001.
• http://www.zebamagazine.com/ Zeba Magazine. Ehsan Aman: His Upcoming Album & CD. June 2006

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ehsan Aman

• Voice of American - Afghan Pop Singer In The US
• Ehsan Aman's official website
• Listen to Ehsan Aman Albums and Music Online
• Ehsan Aman Music Albums and Videos at eAfghans Network

Shahid Khan Afridi
شاہد خان آفریدی

Personal information
Full name	Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi
Born	(1980-03-01) 1 March 1980 (age 32) Khyber Agency, FATA, Pakistan
Nickname	Boom Boom Afridi[1]
Batting style	Right-handed
Bowling style	Right arm leg spin
Role	All-rounder
International information
National side	Pakistan
Test debut (cap 153)	22 October 1998 v Australia
Last Test	13 July 2010 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 109)	2 October 1996 v Kenya
Last ODI	18 March 2012 v India
ODI shirt no.	10
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1995–2010	Karachi
1997–2009	Habib Bank Limited
2001	Leicestershire
2003	Derbyshire
2003–04	Griqualand West
2004	Kent
2007–2008	Sind
2010	Southern Redbacks
2008	Deccan Chargers
2011-	Hampshire
2011-	Melbourne Renegades
Career statistics
Competition	Test	ODI	T20I	FC
Matches	27	341	48	111
Runs scored	1,716	7,008	713	5,631
Batting average	36.51	23.59	17.39	31.45
100s/50s	5/8	6/33	0/3	12/30
Top score	156	124	54*	164
Balls bowled	3,194	14,892	1,085	13,493
Wickets	48	343	56	258
Bowling average	35.60	33.39	19.91	27.22
5 wickets in innings	1	8	0	8
10 wickets in match	0	0	0	0
Best bowling	5/52	6/38	4/11	6/101
Catches/stumpings	10/–	111/–	13/–	75/–
Source: CricketArchive, 21 December 2011

This article contains Urdu text, written from right to left with some letters joined. Without proper rendering support, you may see unjoined letters or other symbols instead of Urdu script.

Pride of Performance Award Recipient
Shahid Afridi was recipient of the Pride of Performance Award 2010[2]
Presented by	Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Date	2010
Country	Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi (Urdu: صاحبزادہ محمد شاہد خان آفریدی) (born 1 March 1980 in Khyber Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan^[3]), popularly known as Shahid Afridi (Pashto: شاهد ‏افریدی), is a Pakistani cricketer. Between 1996 and 2012, Afridi played 27 Tests, 334 One Day Internationals, and 46 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for the Pakistani national team. He made his ODI debut on 2 October 1996 against Kenya and his Test debut on 22 October 1998 against Australia.

He is known for his aggressive batting style,^[4] and holds the record for the fastest ODI century which he made in his first international innings, as well as scoring 32 runs in a single over, the second highest scoring over ever in an ODI.^[5] He also holds the distinction of having hit the most number of sixes in the history of ODI cricket.^[6] Afridi considers himself a better bowler than batsman, and has taken 48 Test wickets and over 300 in ODIs. Currently Afridi is the leading wicket taker in the Twenty20 format taking 53 wickets from 43 matches.

In June 2009, Afridi took over the Twenty20 captaincy from Younus Khan, and was later appointed ODI captain for the 2010 Asia Cup. In his first match as ODI captain against Sri Lanka he scored a century however Pakistan still lost by 16 runs. He then also took over the Test captaincy but resigned after one match in charge citing lack of form and ability to play Test cricket; at the same time he announced his retirement from Tests. He retained the captaincy in limited-overs form of the game and led the team in the 2011 World Cup. In May 2011, having led Pakistan in 34 ODIs Afridi was replaced as captain. Later that month he announced his conditional retirement from international cricket in protest against his treatment by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB); in October he reversed his decision.

International career[link]

In October 1996 at the age of sixteen Afridi was drafted into the ODI team during the four-nation Sameer Cup 1996–97 as a leg spinner as a replacement for the injured Mushtaq Ahmed.^[7] He made his debut on 2 October against Kenya, however he didn't bat and went wicketless.^[8] In the next match against Sri Lanka, Afridi batted at number three in the role of a pinch-hitter. In his first international innings, Afridi broke the record for fastest century in ODI cricket, reaching his hundred from 37 balls. The eleven sixes he struck also equalled the record for most in an ODI innings.^{[9][nb 1]} Aged 16 years and 217 days, Afridi became the youngest player to score an ODI century.^[11] Pakistan posted a total of 371, at the time the second-highest in ODIs, and won by 82 runs; Afridi was named man of the match.^[9]

Two years after appearing on the international scene, Afridi made his Test debut in the third game of a three-match series against Australia on 22 October 1998.^[12] By this point he had already played 66 ODIs, at the time a record before playing Tests.^[13] He opened the batting, making scores of 10 and 6, and took five wickets in the first innings.^[12] He played his second Test the following January during Pakistan's tour of India; it was the first Test between the two countries since 1990.^[14] Again opening the batting, Afridi scored his maiden Test century, scoring 141 runs from 191 balls. In the same match he also claimed three wickets for 54 runs.^[15] After winning the first match by 12 runs, Pakistan lost the second to draw the series.^[16]

In 2001, Afridi signed a contract to represent Leicestershire. In five first-class matches he scored 295 runs at an average of 42.14, including a highest score of 164,^[17] and took 11 wickets at an average of 46.45;^[18] Afridi also played 11 one day matches for the club, scoring 481 runs at an average of 40.08^[19] and taking 18 wickets at 24.04.^[20] His highest score of 95 came from 58 balls in a semi-final of the C&G Trophy to help Leicestershire beat Lancashire by seven wickets.^[21] Derbyshire County Cricket Club signed Afridi to play for them in the first two months of the 2003 English cricket season.^[22] In June 2004 Afridi signed with English county side Kent to play for them in three Twenty20 matches and one Totesport League match.^[23]

An innings-by-innings breakdown of Afridi's Test match batting career up to 30 December 2007, showing runs scored (red bars) and the average of the last ten innings (blue line).

Afridi made his presence felt in the third Test against India in March 2005, scoring a quick-fire second-innings half-century and taking five wickets in the match (including Tendulkar twice) to help Pakistan to win the game and register a series draw.^[24] In April Afridi struck what at the time was the equal second-fastest century in ODIs; he reached 100 off 45 deliveries against India, sharing the record with West Indian Brian Lara.^[25] Afridi was more consistent with his batting and bowling throughout 2005, starting with the tours of India and West Indies and through to the England tour. The Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer helped Afridi to reach a fuller potential by improving his shot selection and giving him free rein over his batting attitude.

On 21 November 2005, Shahid Afridi was banned for a Test match and two ODIs for deliberately damaging the pitch in the second match of the three-Test series against England. Television cameras pictured him scraping his boots on the pitch scuffing the surface when play was held up after a gas canister exploded. Afridi later pleaded guilty to a level three breach of the ICC code of conduct relating to the spirit of the game. Match referee Roshan Mahanama said: "This ban should serve as a message to players that this type of behaviour is not allowed."^[26][27][28]

On 12 April 2006, Afridi announced a temporary retirement from Test cricket so that he could concentrate on ODIs, with a particular focus on the 2007 World Cup, and to spend more time with his family. He said he would consider reversing his decision after the World Cup. Afridi had played ten Tests since being recalled to the side in January 2005, averaging 47.44 with the bat including four centuries.^[29] However, on 27 April he reversed his decision, saying that "[Woolmer] told me that I am one of the main players in the team and squad and that Pakistan really needed me".^[30] Before Pakistan toured England in July to September, Afridi played for Ireland as an overseas player in the C&G Trophy.^[30] In six matches, he scored 128 runs^[31] and took seven wickets.^[32] England won the four-match Test series 3–0;^[33] Afridi played two matches, scoring 49 runs^[34] and took three wickets.^[35] It was the last Test cricket Afridi played until 2010.^[36]

Afridi was charged on 8 February 2007 of bringing the game into disrepute after he was seen on camera thrusting his bat at a spectator who swore at him on his way up the steps after being dismissed. Afridi was given a four-game ODI suspension, the minimum possible ban for such an offence, meaning that he would miss Pakistan's first two 2007 World Cup matches. The PCB and Afridi chose not to appeal the ban, despite feeling that the punishment was excessively harsh.^[37]

In the 2007 World Twenty20, he performed poorly with the bat but brilliantly with the ball, earning the Man of the Series award, though he failed to take a wicket in the final and was out for a golden duck.But in the next ICC Twenty20 World Cup, held in 2009 Afridi performed brilliantly in the series scoring 50 runs in the semi-final and 54 in the final and leading his team to victory.

Captaincy (2009–2011)[link]

Afridi with his team mates during the 2009 World Twenty20 in June 2009

Shortly after Pakistan won the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 the captain Younis Khan announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently announced that Shahid Afridi had taken over as captain in T20Is; the appointment was initially for one match, with a decision on the permanent replacement to be made later.^[38] On 31 January 2010, Afridi was caught on camera biting into the ball towards the end of the 5th Commonwealth Bank ODI series in Australia.^[39] Later Afridi pleaded guilty to ball tampering and he was banned from two Twenty20 internationals.^[40]

In March 2010 the board announced that Shahid Afridi had been appointed ODI captain in place of the sacked Mohammad Yousuf he led Pakistan in the 2010 Asia Cup and during his first three matches as ODI captain he scored two centuries against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh he finished as the tournaments highest runscorer with 384 runs from 3 matches.

On 25 May 2010, Afridi was appointed captain of the national team in all three formats, after he announced his return to Test cricket.^[41] In July 2010, Afridi captained Pakistan in the first Test of the series at Lord's against England. He scored 31 off 15 deliveries in the first innings and 2 in the second but was dismissed succumbing to rash strokes in both the innings. After the match, he announced retirement from Test cricket again citing lack of temperament for Test cricket as the reason.^[42] Afridi was officially removed from the Test squad on the England tour, but after the spot-fixing scandal saw Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Test captain Salman Butt temporarily suspended by the International Cricket Council, he stated that he might return to Test cricket if "the team needs it".^[43] According a representative of Afridi, he had voiced his concerns about Mazhar Majeed – who had approached Pakistan's players – in June.^[44] Majeed also confirmed that he approached Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Younis Khan and Saeed Ajmal but all off them refused to be affiliated with him of his fixing menace. Worth mentioning is that the four names given above were not associated in the original scandal and that no disciplinary action have been taken against them by the sports governing body the International Cricket Council.^[45]

In October, Afridi stated in an interview with Express News that the squad had been selected without his consultation; the PCB gave him an official warning for the interview.^[46] Coach Waqar Younis also expressed his unhappiness at having no input in selection, however Mohsin Khan, the chief selector, defended the decision, stating "it is not written down in the PCB constitution that the coach and captain(s) must have a say in the selection of any squad".^[47] Pakistan lost the series 3–2.

Afridi during Pakistan's tour of New Zealand in December 2010

The team toured New Zealand between December 2010 and February 2011 for two Tests, six ODIs, and three T20Is. Pakistan lost the first two T20Is but won the third; in final match Afridi became the first cricketer to reach 50 international wickets in the format.^[48] When Pakistan's squad for the 2011 World Cup was announced no captain was named; Afridi, the incumbent ODI captain and Misbah-ul-Haq, the Test captain, were the front runners for the position.^[49] Pakistan lost the first match against New Zealand by 8-wickets, the second match got rained out and in the third Mohammad Hafeez scored a century and Afridi scored a blistering 65 from just 25 balls. The following match was a tight game but Pakistan prevailed by two-wickets thanks to three boundaries from Sohail Tanvir, the match was set up by a 93 not out from Misbah-ul-Haq. The fifth ODI was won for Pakistan by 43 runs courtesy of a maiden ODI-century from Ahmed Shehzad. Afridi helped in the lower order by scoring 24 and taking two crucial top order wickets to help guide Pakistan to a 43-run victory and their first ODI series win in two years.^[50]

After gaining victory as a captain against New Zealand, the PCB declared Shahid Afridi as Pakistan's captain for the 2011 World Cup. In Pakistan's opening match of the tournament, Afridi took 5 wickets for 16 runs against Kenya, giving him the best bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler in a World Cup.^[51] In the following match against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won, Afridi claimed for more wickets to help his side to victory and became the second player to have scored 4,000 runs and taken 300 wickets in ODIs.^{[52][nb 2]} He claimed 17 wickets from 6 matches in the first round of the Cup, including a five-wicket haul against Canada,^[53] as Pakistan finished top of their group and progressed to the next stage.^[54] After beating the West Indies in the quarter-final, with Afridi taking four wickets,^[55] Pakistan were knocked out of the semi-finals in a 29-run defeat to India.^[56] Afridi was the tournament's joint-leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets, level with India's Zaheer Khan, even though Afridi had played one match less than him.^[57]

Soon after the World Cup Pakistan toured the West Indies for a T20I, five ODIs, and two Tests. Pakistan lost the only T20I^[58] but won the ODI series that followed 3–2.^[59] Afridi took two wickets and scored 28 runs in the series.^[60][61] The coach, Waqar Younis, fell out with Afridi and in his report on the tour criticised Afridi, saying "as a captain he is very immature, has poor discipline, lacks a gameplan and is unwilling to listen to others' opinions or advice".^[62] After the series, on 19 May the PCB replaced Afridi as ODI captain with Misbah-ul-Haq for the two-match ODI series against Ireland later that month. In 34 ODIs as captain, Afridi led his side to 18 wins and 15 defeats.^[63] Afridi subsequently withdrew from the touring squad, citing the illness of his father.^[64]

Conditional retirement and return (2011)[link]

On 30 May Afridi announced his conditional retirement from international cricket in protest against his treatment by the PCB. The condition on his return was that the board be replaced.^[65] The PCB suspended Afridi's central contract, fined him 4.5 million rupees ($52,300), and revoked his no-objection certificate (NOC) which allowed Afridi to play for Hampshire. Afridi filed a petition with the Sindh High Court to overturn the sanctions. On 15 June, Afridi withdrew his petition after an out of court settlement and the PCB reinstated his NOC.^[66] When the PCB's central contracts were renewed in August, Afridi's was allowed to lapse.^[67] In October he withdrew his retirement as Ijaz Butt had been replaced as chairman of the PCB. ^[68] Two weeks after his announcement, Afridi was included in Pakistan's squad to face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and a T20I.^[69] In November 2011, Afridi became the only cricketer to score a half-century and take five wickets on two separate occasions in ODIs.^[70] Afridi achieved this feat in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka which helped Pakistan to secure the one-day series.^[71]

Playing style[link]

Afridi bowling his stock leg-spin delivery

Batting[link]

His general style of batting is very aggressive and attack oriented and has earned him the nickname "Boom Boom Afridi". Moreover, out of the seven fastest ODI centuries of all time, Afridi has produced three of them.^[72] As of 19 April 2011, he has an ODI strike rate of 113.88 runs per 100 balls, the fourth highest in the game's history.^[73] This attitude has been transferred to Test cricket as well, with Afridi scoring at a relatively high strike rate of 86.97. He has an approach to batting that can change the tempo of a game and inspire the mood of an audience, as shown when a mass exodus of spectators occurred in Pakistan in late 2005 following his dismissal from the crease.

He hits many sixes long and high, favouring straight down the ground or over midwicket and hit the longest ever six in the history of ODIs against Australia. His trademark shot is a cross-batted flick to the leg-side to a ball outside off stump.^[74] However, his aggressive style increases his risk of getting out and he is one of the most inconsistent batsmen in cricket. This is reflected by the fact that he is the only player to score more than 6,000 ODI runs at an average under 25.^[75] Afridi has moved about the batting order, and this lack of consistency has made it difficult for him to settle. In the Indian subcontinent, where the ball quickly loses its shine, he prefers to open the batting however elsewhere he prefers to bat at number six.^[76]

Bowling[link]

Having started as a fast bowler, Afridi decided to start bowling spin after he was told he was throwing. He modelled himself on Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir.^[3] Afridi began his career as primarily a bowler, however after scoring the fastest century in his maiden ODI innings more was expected of him with the bat. He considers himself a better bowler than batsman.^[76] While he is renowned for his aggressive batting, he is also a handy leg-spinner capable of producing a good mix of wicket taking balls.^[77] He has over 300 International wickets, most of which are from the ODI format. While his stock ball is the leg break, his armoury also includes the conventional off break and a "quicker one" which he can deliver in the style of a medium-pacer, reaching speeds of around 130 km/h (81 mph).^[78] He bowls at a high speed for a spinner, resulting in lesser turn, and relying more on variations in speed. He occasionally sends down a bouncer to a batsman, which is very rare for a spin bowler.

Records and achievements[link]

Test centuries[link]

• In the column Runs, * indicates being not out
• The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

Test centuries

	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
[1]	141	2	India	Chennai, India	MA Chidambaram Stadium	1999
[2]	107	12	West Indies	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates	Sharjah C.A. Stadium	2002
[3]	122	18	West Indies	Bridgetown, Barbados	Kensington Oval	2005
[4]	103	21	India	Lahore, Pakistan	Gaddafi Stadium	2006
[5]	156	22	India	Faisalabad, Pakistan	Iqbal Stadium	2006

ODI centuries[link]

• In the column Runs, * indicates being not out
• The column title Match refers to the Match Number of the player's career

ODI centuries

	Runs	Balls	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year
[1]	102	37	2	Sri Lanka	Nairobi, Kenya	Nairobi Gymkhana Club	1996
[2]	109	94	65	India	Toronto, Canada	Toronto CSCC	1998
[3]	108*	97	146	New Zealand	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates	Sharjah C.A. Stadium	2002
[4]	102	45	204	India	Kanpur, India	Green Park	2005
[5]	109	76	294	Sri Lanka	Dambulla, Sri Lanka	Dambulla International Stadium	2010
[6]	124	60	296	Bangladesh	Dambulla, Sri Lanka	Dambulla International Stadium	2010

ODI five-wicket hauls[link]

No.	Date	Ground	Against	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Batsmen	Result
1	02000-10-2727 October 2000	Gaddafi Stadium	England	1	10	40	5	4.00	ME Trescothick N Hussain GP Thorpe C White AF Giles	Won[79]
2	02004-09-1414 September 2004	Edgbaston Cricket Ground	Kenya	1	6	1	5	1.83	MA Ouma TM Odoyo BJ Patel ML Patel PJ Ongondo	Won[80]
3	02009-04-2222 April 2009	DSC Cricket Stadium	Australia	1	10	38	6	3.80	BJ Haddin SR Watson A Symonds CJ Ferguson NW Bracken SR Clark	Won[81]
4	02011-02-2323 February 2011	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium	Kenya	1	8	16	5	2.00	Steve Tikolo Tanmay Mishra Jimmy Kamande Thomas Odoyo Collins Obuya	Won[82]
5	02011-03-033 March 2011	R Premadasa Stadium	Canada	1	10	23	5	2.30	Ashish Bagai Jimmy Hansra Rizwan Cheema Tyson Gordon Harvir Baidwan	Won[83]
6	02011-11-2020 November 2011	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	Sri Lanka	1	9.2	35	5	3.75	Kumar Sangakkara Mahela Jayawardene Jeevan Mendis Thisara Perera Seekkuge Prasanna	Won[84]
7	02011-12-011 December 2011	Shere Bangla National Stadium	Bangladesh	1	6.3	23	5	3.53	Shahriar Nafees Mahmudullah Shakib Al Hasan Farhad Reza Shafiul Islam	Won[85]
8	02012-02-1212 February 2012	Sharjah Cricket Stadium	Afghanistan	1	10	36	5	3.60	Karim Sadiq Mohammad Shahzad Nawroz Mangal Gulbodin Naib Mirwais Ashraf	Won [86]

Personal life[link]

Afridi is from the Afridi tribe of the Khyber Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and hails from a Pashtun family.^[3] He is married and has two daughters, Aqsa and Ansha.^[87]

See also[link]

• List of Pakistan Test cricketers who have taken five wickets on debut

References[link]