Former Pakistan’s all-rounder Shahid Afridi has joined the “star-studded” roster of ambassadors for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies which begins on June 1.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is an event that is very close to my heart,” Afridi was quoted as saying in the ICC statement on Friday.

The former all-rounder joins other iconic names Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle and Usain Bolt as ambassadors ahead of the mega event.

A veteran of six T20 World Cups, Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s 2009 triumph with a Player of the Match performance in the final at Lord’s.

He would feature in a range of promotional activities around the World Cup and lend expert insights to the event through a series of guest columns, according to the ICC.

“T20 World Cups have gone from strength to strength in recent years, and I’m thrilled to be part of this edition, where we will see more teams, more matches and even more drama than ever before,” Afridi said.

“I am particularly excited to witness the India v Pakistan fixture on 9 June. It is one of the great rivalries in sport and New York will be a fitting stage for this unmissable encounter between two great teams.”

Claire Furlong, the ICC general manager for marketing and communications, said: “Shahid competed in six ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, two of which as captain and delivering a Player of the Match performance when winning the trophy in 2009, so who better to join our all-star Ambassador team.”

He described Afridi as a “fan favourite” and added that he would be bringing fans closer to the event.

The T20 World Cup will be played from 1-29 June with co-hosts USA taking on Canada in the opening fixture at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. A total of 55 matches will be played by 20 teams across nine venues, culminating in the final on 29 June in Barbados in what will be the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever.