Shehroze Kashif, a Pakistani mountaineer, faces extreme weather conditions in his attempt to conquer the world’s highest mountains, but the biggest challenge for him lies in securing the necessary funding.
Kashif, at the age of 21, aims to become the youngest person to summit all peaks above 8,000 meters in Pakistan and Asia this year. Reaching Everest alone cost him around $60,000, and summiting all the 14 “super peaks” can require hundreds of thousands of dollars.
This task becomes even more difficult in a country facing an economic crisis. Despite these challenges, the young climber remains determined to achieve his record-breaking summit attempt.
“My father sold my car and a piece of land… that’s how I did Everest,” Kashif told AFP from his home in Lahore, the sub-tropical, low-altitude city where he was born.
Only around 50 people are believed to have climbed all 14 super peaks, the youngest being Mingma Gyabu “David” Sherpa of Nepal, who summited them all by age 30.
To break this record, Kashif still has three mountains to conquer: China’s Shishapangma, and Cho Oyu and Manaslu in Nepal, having to re-climb the latter after a new, higher summit was officially recognised in 2021.
Hot on Kashif’s heels is Adriana Brownlee, a 22-year-old British-Spanish mountaineer who is also racing to be the youngest to scale all the eight-thousanders.
Kashif describes Brownlee — the youngest woman to climb the world’s second-highest peak, K2 — as “sharing the same stage”.
But unlike Brownlee, who has climbed 10 eight-thousanders, Kashif does not have international sponsorship and said he even struggles to get backers in Pakistan.
Brownlee will also need to re-summit Manaslu, in what would be her third attempt to scale the peak since first climbing it.
“I think she’s waiting for me (to do it) actually,” Kashif said with a laugh.
Climbing summits, breaking records
Kashif first became interested in climbing aged 11, when most Pakistani boys his age are building up their cricket skills.
Instead, he climbed the 3,885-metre Himalayan peak Makra in northern Pakistan.
He has racked up a string of records since then, with scarcely enough space in his Twitter bio to list them all.
Kashif is the youngest person to climb K2 and the youngest to climb both of the world´s two highest mountains.
He is also the youngest to climb Pakistan’s Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain and his first eight-thousander — a feat that earned him the moniker “Broad Boy”.
“It’s not about only climbing the mountains. It’s about the energy that you absorb from the mountains,” Kashif said.
“Every mountain has its own charm. It’s own aura of… danger and adventure and happiness.”
Scaling amid danger
With memorial plaques dotting the hills of the eight-thousanders, Kashif is aware of his pursuit’s risks.
“These guys were here with the same potential, same passion, same enthusiasm, same determination and same tolerance (as me),” he said.
Kashif’s most dangerous climb was up the world’s ninth-highest peak, Nanga Parbat, in July 2022.
He and his climbing partner Fazal Ali got lost in bad weather after summiting, and soon ran out of oxygen, food and water.
“I started hallucinating,” Kashif said. “My head was working (but the) rest of my body was just totally numb.”
When Kashif woke from a rest, he was surprised to be alive, and determined to survive. After six hours of trekking, the pair made it to one of the mountain’s base camps.
“The thing that I was most afraid of (is) that I don’t want to die without knowing what my body is capable of.”
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has supplanted South African spinner Keshav Maharaj to ascend to the position of the number one bowler in the most recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings, released on Wednesday.
Pakistan, led by newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan, triumphed against Australia in the third ODI by eight wickets in Perth, securing their inaugural series victory in Australia since 2002.
The visitors lost the initial match of the three-match series by two wickets; however, they executed a remarkable comeback to secure the series 2-1.
As a result, Pakistani players achieved notable advancements in the most recent ICC ODI Rankings, with Shaheen Afridi regaining the premier position among bowlers.
Afridi demonstrated his bowling skill against Australia, securing eight wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 12.62, leading to a three-position ascent in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.
The left-arm bowler has previously occupied the number one position momentarily during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.
After his ascent, Pakistan currently occupies the first position in both batting and bowling rankings in ODI cricket, with Babar Azam reinforcing his dominance among hitters.
Azam accumulated 80 runs in three innings against Australia, being dismissed only once and hitting the decisive boundary in both of Pakistan’s triumphs.
Haris Rauf, honoured as Player of the Series, ascended 14 positions to attain his career-high 13th rank in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, with 618 rating points.
The right-arm fast bowler took 10 wickets in the three-match series with an amazing average of 12.00.
Naseem Shah, having claimed five wickets in the series, ascended 14 positions to attain the 55th rank.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dispatched a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). It requested clarification on India’s position for participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted in Pakistan.
In a formal correspondence to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay, the PCB solicited information regarding the timing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s notification to the ICC over its likely withdrawal from the event.
The PCB’s correspondence also seeks to ascertain whether the BCCI has provided an official, written denial to the ICC, detailing the rationale for the Indian cricket team’s possible non-participation. The PCB has requested the ICC to furnish a copy of any formal correspondence from the BCCI elucidating the reasoning behind their position. The PCB intends to meticulously examine these grounds to comprehend the rationale for the decision.
The ICC’s stance regarding India’s involvement
The PCB has urged the ICC to clarify its stance on the BCCI’s refusal to dispatch the team. The PCB requests clarification on the ICC’s intentions regarding the formal acceptance of India’s withdrawal and its implications for the tournament’s structure and schedule.
Strategy of PCB
The PCB has indicated its intention to seek legal counsel in light of the ICC’s statement, while also intending to confer with the Pakistani government to coordinate future steps. PCB authorities assert that should India officially withdraw and the ICC acquiesce to their absence, Pakistan may decline to compete against India in Champions Trophy matches held at any venue outside of Pakistan.
Sources indicate that PCB’s response strategy will be formulated following ICC’s official reply. The scenario underscores potential geopolitical tensions that may affect cricketing relations between the two countries.
Former cricket player Basit Ali talked about India’s bid to compete in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and recommended that the PCB use a similar approach to Sri Lanka’s World Cup 1996 strategy.
Although it is unclear if India would compete in the tournament, the ninth Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan during the February–March timeframe in 2025.
The Indian media had reported that Team India will not be traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to security concerns, citing a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Furthermore, sources verified on Sunday that the PCB was notified by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian government has prohibited its cricket team from traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
Basit Ali was among the numerous Pakistani players who were upset to hear of India’s rejection. The former batsman said in a video posted on his own YouTube account that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take a cue from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
For those who are not familiar, Sri Lanka won the World Cup 1996, which was co-hosted by Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.
But because Australia and the West Indies declined to visit Sri Lanka due to security concerns, the competition was marred with controversy like to that of the Champions Trophy 2025.
While Sri Lanka promised complete security for the squad, Australia and the West Indies stuck to their guns.
Due to a firm stand on both sides, Sri Lanka was given games against Australia and the West Indies on forfeit by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Sri Lanka advanced to the quarterfinals without having to play a match after earning four crucial points.
In a similar vein, Basit Ali asked the PCB to avoid playing India at a neutral location. Additionally, he recommended that Pakistan quit the event if the ICC were to fully change it.
The former batter said, “If India declines to play in Pakistan under a hybrid model, like the 1996 World Cup scenario, PCB should demand points.” “Pakistan ought to receive two points if India chooses not to participate.”
In the event of a hybrid approach, Pakistan, as the host, ought to conduct all of its matches domestically. Additionally, Pakistan ought to decline to take part if the host location changes.