Pavel Florin

Pavel Florin (born 12 February 1979) is a Romanian international cricketer who plays for the national cricket team as a bowler. Florin became well known while playing in the European Cricket League in 2019, when a video showing his bowling action went viral on social media.

Pavel Florin
Personal information
Born (1979-02-12) 12 February 1979
Cluj, Transylvania, Romania
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off break
International information
National side
T20I debut (cap 1)29 August 2019 v Austria
Last T20I5 September 2021 v Luxembourg
Career statistics
Competition T20I
Matches 16
Runs scored 26
Batting average 8.66
100s/50s 0
Top score 14
Balls bowled 141
Wickets 15
Bowling average 12.13
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 3/14
Catches/stumpings 1/–
Source: Cricinfo, 18 October 2021

Career and reaction

In July 2019 Florin, who took up cricket at 32, bowled the penultimate over for Cluj in an ECL match against Dreux, and conceded 13 runs.[1] The video of the over received widespread attention on social media. Some people mocked Florin's bowling action,[2] others though praised him with former Australian bowler Shane Warne even offering to help Florin in future and England bowler Jofra Archer offering his respect to him.[3][4]

Florin, who found out about his sudden fame over lunch,[5] then did an interview, during which he admitted "Maybe someone says my bowling is not beautiful or not effective, but I don't care, because I love cricket."[6][7] Soon afterwards, he was invited to play cricket in Australia but was denied a visa.[8] The visa denial was soon overturned and he turned out for Surrey Hills Cricket Club.[9] Interest in Florin continued as he took wickets in Australia.[10][11] Florin was then invited to the Lord's Presidents box,[12] from which he rang the Lord's bell.[13]

Florin has also played in 13 Twenty20 Internationals for Romania taking 13 wickets and scoring 24 runs.[14] In June 2021, he was named in Romania's squad for the 2021 Sofia Twenty20.[15][16] Romania won the tournament, and Florin was joint highest wicket-taker alongside his teammate Sami Ullah.[17]

In July 2021 Florin once again made headlines, after taking a wicket in T10 game in the European Cricket League he ran to the commentary box to celebrate before shouting his teams name into a microphone.[18]

In early December 2022, Florin signed a 2-game ambassador deal with Big Bash League team, the Melbourne Stars. [19]

Personal life

Aside from playing cricket, Florin works as a bodyguard.[20]

References
  1. "Romanian cricketer Pavel Florin becomes internet sensation after being mocked for his bowling action". Firstpost. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  2. "Romanian cricketer Pavel Florin hailed a hero for his eccentric bowling style". Evening Standard. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. "Romanian cricketer hailed as hero after admitting bowling action 'not beautiful'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. "European Cricket League: Pavel Florin gets backing from Shane Warne". CNN. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. "Pavel Florin: The bodyguard who became a cult hero". ICC. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. "My bowling is not beautiful but I don't care: Romanian cricketer Pavel Florin". India Today. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. "'My bowling isn't beautiful, I don't care!' - Romanian Pavel Florin defends 'unusual' bowling style". BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  8. "Romanian cricket hero Pavel Florin denied visa to play in Australia". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. "Romanian cricketer Pavel Florin set to play in Australia after visa refusal overturned". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  10. "Watch – Romania's Pavel Florin Goes Wild After Picking His First Wicket In Australia". Cricket Addictor. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  11. "Pavel Florin stuns opposition with unforgettable three-wicket haul to go with his three catches". news.com.au. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  12. "Pavel Florin: 'I came to England to speak with people. This is espionage'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  13. "Pavel Florin: I had the courage to play cricket – it's not fair to laugh at me". The Times. Retrieved 22 May 2021.(Subscription required.)
  14. "Pavel Florin". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  15. "Bulgaria to host 4-nation Sofia T20I tournament in June 2021". Czarsportz. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  16. "Sofia T20 International Tournament preview". Emerging Cricket. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  17. "RECORDS / SOFIA TWENTY20, 2021 / MOST WICKETS". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  18. "Pavel Florin runs to commentary box after taking a wicket in a bizarre celebration". Circle of Cricket. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  19. "Pavel Florin links with the Stars". Melbourne Stars. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  20. "Bodyguard who is an ABD fan: Meet Romanian Pavel Florin, cricket's latest internet sensation". Indian Express. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
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