The Other Name For The Laboratory Is “Pcb”
- 10 May - 16 May, 2025
Javed Afridi's contributions to Pakistan cricket are well-known, and his role has not been limited to cricket alone. His efforts have been prominent in various other sectors as well. His hard work and dedication not only contributed to Peshawar Zalmi’s success but also extended to various other sports and social causes.
Javed Afridi is a well-known name in Pakistan cricket. As the owner of Haier Pakistan, he entered the world of Pakistan cricket in 2012 by sponsoring domestic and home series. He quickly became recognized as a prominent organizer in Pakistan cricket. In 2016, when Najam Sethi launched the Pakistan Super League, Javed Afridi strengthened his connection with Pakistan cricket by acquiring the Peshawar Zalmi franchise. His passion for cricket was rewarded when Peshawar Zalmi won the championship in their very first season. Over time, Javed Afridi’s hard work and the growing popularity of Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League made him a key figure. However, he did not limit himself to just the PSL and franchise cricket; he remained active in various other sectors and continued to make progress.
As the Chairman of Peshawar Zalmi, Javed Afridi signed an agreement with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which works for refugees worldwide. By placing the UNHCR logo on the Zalmi kit in global tournaments, he highlighted the issues faced by refugees. For his efforts, the UNHCR appointed him as their Youth Ambassador. Additionally, Javed Afridi played a vital role in linking Pakistan’s showbiz stars with Peshawar Zalmi. Celebrities like Hamza Ali Abbasi and Mahira Khan, along with many others from Pakistan’s entertainment industry, showed their support for Javed Afridi during the Pakistan Super League.
Moreover, Javed Afridi welcomed former cricketers with great respect. He appointed the Asian Bradman, Zaheer Abbas, as the president of Peshawar Zalmi, and he also brought in legendary cricketer Younis Khan, who has scored a record 10,099 runs in Test cricket for Pakistan. Peshawar Zalmi’s association with Darren Sammy, the two-time T20 World Cup winner for West Indies, was highly talked about. Not only did Sammy lead Peshawar Zalmi to victory in the Pakistan Super League, but after retiring from the game, he returned as a coach, further strengthening his relationship with the Zalmi family.
Javed Afridi has not confined himself to cricket alone. Whether it's social work or contributing to other sports, Javed Afridi has always been at the forefront. Recognizing the financial challenges in Pakistan’s national sport, hockey, Javed Afridi stepped in to support the Pakistan Hockey Federation by signing an agreement with them. In the 2018 FIH World Cup held in Bhubaneswar, India, Pakistan’s hockey team wore kits sponsored by Haier. Furthermore, in July 2023, Javed Afridi, through the Zalmi Foundation, rewarded Pakistan's young squash player Hamza Khan, who won the World Junior Squash Championship in Melbourne, Australia, with a cash prize of 1 million rupees. In August 2024, after Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Javed Afridi once again awarded him 1 million rupees through the Zalmi Foundation.
Javed Afridi entered Pakistan cricket as a sponsor 12 years ago, and today, he is a well-established name in the country. Whether it’s Peshawar Zalmi or the Zalmi Foundation, Javed Afridi has earned a trust that he might not have imagined. However, with his efforts and hard work, he has reached a position that is the true result of his dedication. Beyond being a cricket organizer, Javed Afridi has also made a prominent mark as a successful businessman.
Whether it’s his role as the chairman of Haier Pakistan or bringing MG Cars to Pakistan, Javed Afridi's contributions to Pakistan's economy and employment will always be remembered. In December 2019, when Javed Afridi met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Geneva (USA), he presented him with a Peshawar Zalmi shirt. During this meeting, Javed Afridi discussed the Zalmi Foundation’s initiatives and the growing ties between Peshawar Zalmi and the Turkish National Cricket Council.
After this meeting, Javed Afridi posted on social media that Pakistan and Turkey share exemplary brotherly relations, and through sports, particularly cricket, the people of both nations will grow closer.
In March 2022, Javed Afridi made international headlines when PPP Urdu and Khaleej Times reported that he was interested in buying the English football club Chelsea. Javed Afridi himself confirmed this news.
Javed Afridi’s journey continues with energy and a positive outlook. With Peshawar Zalmi as just the starting point, Javed Afridi’s journey continues, with much more yet to come.
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