Former Pakistan Cricket Captain Shahid Afridi Visits UN Headquarters, Praises Diplomatic Engagement

Former Pakistan cricket captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi visited the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on Wednesday. His visit was at the invitation of Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN.

During his visit, Afridi was briefed on the Pakistan Mission’s activities, which include actively advancing multilateralism, promoting dialogue and diplomacy, and contributing to international peace and security within the UN. He expressed appreciation for the mission's work in fostering understanding, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation among nations, as well as its advocacy for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The former skipper also received a tour of the UN Headquarters and was informed about its broader role in promoting international peace, security, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Ahmad welcomed Afridi and lauded his significant contributions to Pakistan cricket, noting how his performances brought joy to millions of fans globally. The Ambassador also recognized Afridi’s humanitarian and welfare initiatives, highlighting their positive impact, particularly in underserved communities through the Shahid Afridi Foundation.

During the meeting, Ambassador Ahmad underscored the importance of sports as a powerful diplomatic tool capable of transcending borders, fostering mutual understanding, and uniting nations and peoples. He noted that sports can serve as an effective platform for promoting peace, goodwill, and international cooperation.

Afridi, who retired from international cricket in 2017 after representing Pakistan in 398 One-Day Internationals, 99 Twenty20 Internationals, and 27 Test matches, later posted on social media platform X. He conveyed his gratitude for the warm hospitality and spoke of engaging in meaningful discussions about Pakistan's global role and opportunities to enhance its positive impact worldwide.

According to Dawn Pakistan, the visit reflected a shared recognition of the positive role that sports and diplomacy can play in building bridges between peoples and fostering a more peaceful and cooperative international environment.