Credit: BCCI/X
In the Group A clash of the Asia Cup 2025, India defeated Pakistan in a convincing fashion by seven wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14. After taking India across the finishing line, chasing down the 128-run target in 15.5 overs, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walked off the field without shaking hands with the Pakistan players, not following the customary gesture, which has caused quite a stir in the cricket community.
Shahid Afridi, the former captain of Pakistan, made a controversial statement while slamming India for not going through with the customary handshake, and said, as per Samaa TV, “After May 10, the world saw Pakistan’s power & saw India being humiliated. India had become a joke in front of the world. That was something India could not tolerate.” The 48-year-old was alluding to the India-Pakistan conflict from earlier in the summer in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Saim Ayub should keep his mind cool, tell him to keep his mind cool: Shahid Afridi
Apart from that, Shahid Afridi spoke at length about the dismal performance of the Pakistan players against India in the Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai, stating that they shouldn’t follow his template of going after the bowling from ball one. He wants the batters of the Men in Green to give themselves the time to assess the circumstances before taking the attack to the opposition while name dropping Saim Ayub, who was dismissed for a first ball duck on Hardik Pandya’s bowling.
“These batsmen have to score runs to win matches. Saim Ayub should keep his mind cool, tell him to keep his mind cool. Look at the condition, look at the pitch, play the first ball. You are trying to become Shahid Afridi from the first ball,” remarked the former Pakistan all-rounder. He also criticised the Pakistan team management for resting their frontline pacers against India, not agreeing with the tactic of spin heavy lineup on relatively fresh pitches of Dubai at the start of the Asia Cup 2025.
“The genuine fast bowlers have been given rest. This half-hearted attack will not work against India,” he added.
