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Cricket sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi took to Instagram to officially announce the arrival of his first child, a baby boy named Aliyaar Afridi. The 24-year-old fast bowler shared a photo of his newborn’s tiny hand gripping his finger, accompanied by a heartfelt caption.

“This moment changes everything! 🥹 My heart is full and my life just got a whole lot better. 24/08/2024 will always be special to us. Welcome to the world, my son, Aliyaar Afridi,” Shaheen wrote.

He went on to express his deep gratitude to his wife, Ansha Afridi, for her unwavering strength throughout the journey, calling her the “support system” of their little family. He also extended his thanks for the outpouring of love and prayers from fans, asking everyone to keep his new family in their thoughts.

The joyous news of Aliyaar’s birth was initially shared through the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) official WhatsApp group on Saturday, creating a wave of excitement among cricket fans and the general public alike.

Shaheen, who was playing in a Test match against Bangladesh at the time, returned to Karachi to meet his newborn son and wife as soon as the match ended.

In a heartwarming gesture during the match, Shaheen dedicated a wicket to his newborn son by celebrating with a rocking baby motion, a touching tribute that didn’t go unnoticed by his fans and teammates.

The birth of Aliyaar also marks a new chapter in legendary ex-cricketer Shahid Afridi’s life, as he steps into the role of a grandfather. He jokingly said he’s the youngest grandfather in the cricket world.

Prominent figures, including PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, took to social media platform X to congratulate the couple on their new arrival.

Shaheen and Ansha tied the knot in September 2023.