Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India played like favourites, says Afridi

Shahid Afridi was appalled by Pakistan's abject surrender but he credited India for their commanding show, saying the defending champions lived up to the favourites tag in their Champions Trophy opener.

Afridi, a former Pakistan captain, said his country's drab show last night took away all the excitement from what was expected to be a high-voltage Group B encounter.


"The Indo-Pak Champions Trophy encounter failed to live up to its hype as Pakistan produced a forgettable performance at Edgbaston. As a Pakistani supporter, the drab show was a painful watch indeed as India once again proved that it has a stranglehold over its neighbour that it is in no mood to relinquish," Afridi wrote in a column for the ICC.

"India started as the favourite and played the entire game in the same frame of mind, even as Pakistan crumbled limply."

India launched their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with a resounding 124-run victory over Pakistan last night, extending their dominance over the arch-rivals in major ICC tournaments.

Analysing the match, Afridi said India came hard on skipper Sarfraz Ahmed's shoddy game plan.

"Sarfraz Ahmed won what was a crucial toss in tricky weather conditions. When rain is around, the team batting second gets a huge advantage. Unfortunately though, a poor game plan and shoddy execution, besides abysmal fielding, nullified the advantage," he said.

"Mohammad Amir bowled a splendid first over and I thought he would strike with the new ball. Strangely though, Sarfraz handed the other new ball to Imad Wasim despite the overcast conditions. The tactic was perplexing for me since the match wasn't being played in the UAE! Even if Sarfraz wanted to surprise India, he should have deployed his faster bowlers after an over or two from Imad."

Afridi said Pakistan had allowed Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to settle down and once that happened, it was difficult to stop the duo.

"Players of the calibre of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are very hard to stop if they are allowed to settle early, and that is what Pakistan allowed them to do," he said.

"While the Indian openers negotiated Amir carefully, they gradually got their eye in against Imad. Pakistan missed a trick and for the rest of the Indian innings there was hardly a period where they looked troubled.

"Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh than flayed a tiring attack before Hardik Pandya's cameo turned the match totally in the defending champion's favour," Afridi added.

Afridi also came hard on Pakistan's shoddy fielding effort.

"Pakistan's fielding was very ordinary too, with easy runs given away inside the circle, besides the dropped chances, which made life tougher for the bowlers. The players looked tense and nervous despite the claims to the contrary before the start of the game," he said.

Afridi was also scathing on his attack on the Pakistani batsmen, who could muster just 164 runs.

"I feel that our batsmen are short on the skills side and freeze under pressure. The senior lot failed to cope with the increasing run-rate and got out after occupying the crease for long but barren durations.

"There is simply no excuse for a 164-run score on a flat wicket where the opposition managed 319 with consummate ease," he said.

More For You

Mahima Sharma cricket

In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach

wclegends.uk

Mahima Sharma brings bold new energy to cricket’s old guard

As the world prepares for the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), one of its most exciting franchises, the Meteora England Champions, is being led by a compelling force. Mahima Sharma is not just making her mark in cricket – she is quietly redefining leadership in a male-dominated industry.

In an industry long regarded as a boys’ club, Sharma brings a refreshingly unapologetic approach. She is strategic, deeply rooted in her love for the game, and proudly feminine. “Cricket has always felt like home to me,” she says. “I come from a culture where cricket is an emotion, and stepping into this role carries a great deal of responsibility. Growing up, I saw very few women leaders in cricket. To now find myself in this position 15 years later feels like coming full circle.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Azhar Mahmood

Mahmood, a pace bowling allrounder, played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Azhar Mahmood named interim red-ball head coach of Pakistan

PAKISTAN on Monday appointed former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the interim head coach of the men’s Test team. He is the fourth person to hold the position in the past 18 months.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 50-year-old will remain in the role until January.

Keep ReadingShow less
India vs England: Gambhir faces growing pressure ahead of second Test

Indian cricket head coach Gautam Gambhir. (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)

India vs England: Gambhir faces growing pressure ahead of second Test

GAUTAM GAMBHIR is under growing pressure ahead of the second Test against England after India's loss at Headingley made it seven defeats in 11 red-ball matches since he became coach last year.

The 43-year-old former opening batsman is facing flak from some quarters for his selections, man management and how he carries himself in press conferences.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wimbledon 2025 prize money hits record £53.5m

Spectators take photos as the order of play board is set up on day one of the Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 30, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Wimbledon 2025 prize money hits record £53.5m

THE four Grand Slams offer a trophy and place in the history books as well as significant prize money. Here is what you need to know about the prize pot on offer at Wimbledon 2025, the third major of the year:

When is Wimbledon 2025 happening?

The Championships will run from Monday (30) to July 13.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jack Draper leads British hopes at Wimbledon 2025

Jack Draper during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

Jack Draper leads British hopes at Wimbledon 2025

BRITISH tennis players come under the spotlight at Wimbledon like nowhere else and the full glare will be trained on world number four Jack Draper as he leads a sizeable home assault at the All England Club starting on Monday (30).

The 23-year-old left-hander's rapid rise up the rankings means he is the highest British seed since two-time winner Andy Murray arrived as defending champion in 2017.

Keep ReadingShow less