India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Group A match of Asia Cup 2025 played in Dubai. This match was so one-sided that Pakistan’s team could score only 127/9 runs in 20 overs.
India achieved the target in 15.5 overs thanks to Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 47 and Abhishek Sharma’s explosive innings of 31 runs in 13 balls.
But the real drama happened outside the field, when former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi lashed out at his own team.
‘Stop trying to be Shahid Afridi from ball one’
Afridi launched a scathing attack on Sama TV and said, “These batsmen need to score runs to win matches. Tell Saim Ayub to keep his mind cool. Condition dekho, pitch dekho, pehli ball khelo. You are trying to be Shahid Afridi from ball one.”
That is, Afridi reprimanded the opening batsman Sam Ayub for not trying to hit a big shot from the first ball without thinking. Afridi did not stop here.
He also raised questions on the bowling unit.
“Real pacers have been given rest. This half-hearted attack will not work against India,”
he said angrily. He was pointing out that giving rest to the main fast bowlers proved costly in this big match.
Pakistan’s batting looked helpless in front of the Indian spinners. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakraborty together kept the Pakistani batsmen tied down.
Kuldeep especially took 3 wickets for 18 runs. Wasim Akram also praised Kuldeep and said,
“They can’t read him. Sunny bhai himself said, until you read it from his hands, you will not understand such bowling.”
After the match, Sunil Gavaskar also taunted Pakistan by calling them “Popatwadi team” and said that these are not the Pakistani teams that he used to admire in his childhood.
But the biggest uproar happened when India refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the match.
On this, Shoaib Akhtar expressed anger and said, “Cricket match hain, isko political mat banao.” Pakistan coach Mike Hesson also seemed angry with this.
