Image Credit | PCB Twitter
As the Pakistan cricket team thrives on the back of their brilliant performance in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, becoming the first team to qualify for the semifinals, players take a day off to relax and let go of on-field fatigue.
In one such moment, players shared interesting insights behind their shirt numbers and the reasons why they fancy them.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan revealed that his shirt number, 16, reminds him of the number of runs he scored in the first innings of his cricketing career.
“My shirt number is 16. I scored 16 runs in the first innings of my hardball cricket career and later 16 became lucky for me. 6 comes in my and my wife’s date of birth whereas 1 and 6 also comes in date of birth of my both daughters,” he said in a video shared by the official Twitter handle of Pakistan Cricket.
The story behind shirt numbers 👕#⃣#WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Yo0u1XmXr5
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 1, 2021
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said he was given No.33 in the start, which was later changed to 56.
“I did not value shirt numbers earlier in my career, but it has now become an integral part of my cricket journey. Now I carry No.56 on my back, and I am soon going to launch a brand, which will be called 56B.”
You May Also Like: Babar Azam Reveals Name of His Brand That is Launching Soon
Young leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who dons a number 7 shirt now, gave away the interesting reason for changing the number of his shirt.
“My shirt number is 7 now. Earlier my shirt number was 29 but later I got 7 as my shirt number which was my favorite since when I started cricket. Whenever I play leagues worldwide my preference is always to wear 7 on my shirt.”
Paceman Haris Rauf, who has been making headlines with his speedy deliveries and sublime bowling form in the T20 World Cup, said he wants to change his No97 jersey to 150, and here is why:
“PCB gave me 97 as shirt number but I’ve requested 150 which is also my number in PSL. When I mark my run-up I write 150 as this motivates me. I was selected by Lahore Qalandars for bowling at 150kph in trials and since then my companions call me 150, 150.”
You May Also Like: List of All Babar Azam Centuries in International Cricket
Veteran all-rounder, who is most probably playing his last T20 World Cup for Pakistan, said he was given the no. 18 jersey when made his debut back in 1999.
“My shirt number is 18 but when I was selected for Pakistan for the very first time I had no clue of numbers but I got 18 then. My numbers changed in between my career but later I again chose number 18 for my shirt.”
Swashbuckling left-arm batsman Fakhar Zaman said he preferred the No.39 shirt because of his room number from Pakistan Navy days.
“My shirt number is 39. I played domestic wearing different shirt numbers but I was given the option by PCB of getting number 39on the shirt when I played for Pakistan A. When I was in Navy my room number was 39 so happy there’s some connection of mine with 39.”
Star fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who bamboozled the Indian batting unit in his opening spell last Sunday, said he always wanted to have a No.10 jersey because of his childhood star, Shahid Afridi.
“My first shirt number was 40 but I had a wish for getting 10 as Shahid Afridi was my favorite since childhood. I requested PCB for number 10 and later Lala allowed that I can wear 10 on my shirt. I feel proud wearing 10 as this was worn by Lala.”
