From Mohammed Shami to Shahid Afridi: Did these 4 cricketers fake their age?

First Published Jan 9, 2021, 9:16 AM IST

Cricketers play the sport in the most brilliant way possible, while some do it in such a flawless manner, which at times defies their age. However, some cricketers have allegedly been hiding their actual age for numerous reasons, as we look at a few.

<p>Be it any cricketer; he gives his best on the field with his perfect cricketing techniques and fitness level. Some of them come up with such a sublime performance, which sometimes tends to defy their age.</p>

Be it any cricketer; he gives his best on the field with his perfect cricketing techniques and fitness level. Some of them come up with such a sublime performance, which sometimes tends to defy their age.

<p>However, there have been some instances where cricketers have admitted to having hidden their real age. Furthermore, some have also been alleged of doing the same, as we take a look at four cricketers, who have reportedly done the same.</p>

However, there have been some instances where cricketers have admitted to having hidden their real age. Furthermore, some have also been alleged of doing the same, as we take a look at four cricketers, who have reportedly done the same.

<p><strong>Munaf Patel: </strong>The former pacer was one of India's fastest bowlers, having claimed more than 100 wickets across formats. Nonetheless, it was in 2016 when Australian spin legend, Shane Warne claimed that Munaf faked his age to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Australian said that Munaf's actual age is reportedly six years more. Notably, both Warne and Munaf played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the opening three seasons, while they won the title during the inaugural season, in 2008.</p>

Munaf Patel: The former pacer was one of India's fastest bowlers, having claimed more than 100 wickets across formats. Nonetheless, it was in 2016 when Australian spin legend, Shane Warne claimed that Munaf faked his age to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Australian said that Munaf's actual age is reportedly six years more. Notably, both Warne and Munaf played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the opening three seasons, while they won the title during the inaugural season, in 2008.

<p><strong>Amit Mishra: </strong>The Indian leg-spinner has claimed more than 150 international wickets, across formats and is currently aged 38, while he has not retired from the sport. Nonetheless, once during commentary, former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag claimed that Mishra might be elder than his on-paper age, by two-three years. What was even shocking when Sehwag admitted that he would have done the same too. However, nothing has been proved so far.</p>

Amit Mishra: The Indian leg-spinner has claimed more than 150 international wickets, across formats and is currently aged 38, while he has not retired from the sport. Nonetheless, once during commentary, former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag claimed that Mishra might be elder than his on-paper age, by two-three years. What was even shocking when Sehwag admitted that he would have done the same too. However, nothing has been proved so far.

<p><strong>Mohammed Shami: </strong>The current Indian seamer is one of the most prominent ones for Team India. Meanwhile, a few years back, his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan alleged on Facebook that Shami had hidden his real age from the world. She also posted clippings of some certificates, which displayed four different birth dates (1980, 1982, 1984 and 1990). As per the Board of Control for Cricket records in India (BCCI) records, he is 1990 born and is currently aged 30.</p>

Mohammed Shami: The current Indian seamer is one of the most prominent ones for Team India. Meanwhile, a few years back, his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan alleged on Facebook that Shami had hidden his real age from the world. She also posted clippings of some certificates, which displayed four different birth dates (1980, 1982, 1984 and 1990). As per the Board of Control for Cricket records in India (BCCI) records, he is 1990 born and is currently aged 30.

<p><strong>Shahid Afridi: </strong>Probably the only cricketer who has claimed to have hidden his real age. The former Pakistani skipper has a unique case, as according to the stats, his age did not change between 1996 to 2000, while he got just a year older during this phase. While the records show him 17 during 1996, International Cricket Council (ICC) claims he was already 21 by then. Nonetheless, later in his autobiography, Afridi mentioned that he was born in 1975, correcting his ICC birth year of 1980.</p>

Shahid Afridi: Probably the only cricketer who has claimed to have hidden his real age. The former Pakistani skipper has a unique case, as according to the stats, his age did not change between 1996 to 2000, while he got just a year older during this phase. While the records show him 17 during 1996, International Cricket Council (ICC) claims he was already 21 by then. Nonetheless, later in his autobiography, Afridi mentioned that he was born in 1975, correcting his ICC birth year of 1980.