New Zealand all-rounder names Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq as cricketing idols

New Zealand all-rounder Mark Chapman took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revealing his admiration for two of Pakistan’s cricketing legends: Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq.

In a recent interview at a local sports platform, Chapman was candid about his childhood cricketing idols when prompted about the Pakistani players he looked up to. 

“Growing up, I idolized Shahid Afridi because you can’t look past him in the pecking order. Everyone sort of held their breath when he walked out to bat,” Chapman said.

“But I liked how Abdul Razzaq used to bat during his peak years. I really loved his batting,” he added.

Shahid Afridi was a pivotal figure in several of Pakistan's most memorable victories, notably the ICC T20 World Cup 2009, where his exceptional performances were crucial in securing the championship for his team. Alongside Afridi, Abdul Razzaq also left a lasting impression with his dynamic all-round abilities, captivating audiences and establishing himself as an iconic figure in the cricketing world.

In addition to reminiscing about his childhood heroes, Chapman also lauded Pakistan’s current white-ball captain, Babar Azam. The 30-year-old, who has had the opportunity to interact with Azam and other Pakistani players during international tours, praised Azam’s expertise and insights. 

“You know he is a wealth of knowledge he is up there in the world with some of the best batters so any opportunity you get to sit next to a guy like that for an hour. You’d be silly not to pick his brains,” he said.

The New Zealand cricketer also highlighted his personal connections with Pakistani players, recalling moments shared with Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam. 

“Me and Fakhar Zaman have had breakfast a couple of times in the last series. I’ve also sat with Babar on the plane a couple of times, and we just talk about batting,” he concluded.