'Stop trying to be Shahid Afridi': Ex-batter blasts Pakistan after India hammer them in Asia Cup

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi launched a scathing attack on the national side after their humiliating seven-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Visibly frustrated, Afridi did not hold back in his assessment of Pakistan’s batting and bowling failures, singling out opener Saim Ayub for his reckless approach.

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“These batsmen have to score runs to win matches,” Afridi thundered during a discussion on Samaa TV. “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.”

The former all-rounder was equally unimpressed with the bowling unit, questioning the team management’s decision to rest frontline pacers for such a high-stakes clash. “The genuine fast bowlers have been given rest. This half-hearted attack will not work against India. At the moment, there is not a single batsman in this team who can bring victory,” Afridi added.

Pakistan’s woes were compounded by their inability to handle India’s spinners. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakaravarthy tied the batters in knots, with Kuldeep finishing with 3/18. In all, Pakistan played 63 dot balls in their innings, collapsing to 127/9 in 20 overs.

Legendary pacer Wasim Akram admitted Pakistan’s young batters were completely outfoxed by Kuldeep’s variations. “They can’t read him. Sunny bhai himself said, unless and until you read him from the hand, you won’t be able to understand that type of bowling. When they sweep against Kuldeep every second ball, it means you are not reading him,” Akram said on Sony Sports.


India, led by birthday boy Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 47, made short work of the target, sealing the victory in just 15.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 31 off 13 balls set the tone for a dominant chase.

Cricket great Sunil Gavaskar added salt to Pakistan’s wounds, bluntly calling them a “Popatwadi team” — a far cry, he said, from the proud Pakistan sides he grew up admiring.

With Afridi, Akram, and Gavaskar all expressing deep concern, Pakistan’s defeat has not only hurt their campaign but also sparked a debate about the very direction of their cricket.


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