Pakistan’s premier fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, delivered a masterful performance in a critical Super Four match against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, securing three vital wickets that kept Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 aspirations alive.
Following this impressive display, Afridi faced questions from a reporter regarding the intense scrutiny he experiences during India-Pakistan encounters. The journalist inquired, “Whenever there’s a Pakistan-India match, all eyes are on Shaheen Afridi. But in the last 4-5 matches, you haven’t delivered a standout performance. So, if we reach an India-Pakistan final, can we expect to see an out-of-form Shaheen Afridi again?”
With a playful smile, Afridi retorted, “Are you trying to drop me? (laughs). If Shaheen Afridi plays for Pakistan, he will even give up his life.” This powerful statement, “Agar Shaheen Afridi Pakistan se khelega to apni jaan bhi de dega,” underscored his deep commitment to his national team.
The ongoing Asia Cup has seen several instances of aggressive conduct from Pakistani players, both towards fans and opponents. Afridi was probed whether this aggression, notably from players like Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan, was a calculated strategy. Haris Rauf had notably appeared to mock Indian fans, and Farhan’s “gun-firing” celebration during a Super Four clash also drew criticism.
Afridi clarified, “There is no specific plan to be aggressive; we have always played with aggression since we started. This is simply how cricket is played, and it helps maintain high team morale.”
When pressed about the team discussing a potential India-Pakistan final, Afridi was quick to temper expectations. “We are not in the final yet; when we reach it, then we will think about it,” he stated. A follow-up question about the perceived “tension” between the two sides was met with a cheeky, “Kya chal raha hai?” (What’s going on?).
Choosing not to comment directly on the specific on-field behaviors of Rauf and Farhan, Afridi emphasized, “Our job is to play cricket; people can think what they want. We are here to win the Asia Cup and are trying our best to fulfill Pakistan’s hopes.”
Reflecting on Pakistan’s tense chase of 133 against Sri Lanka, Afridi acknowledged the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where it’s rare for every player to excel simultaneously. He praised his teammates, saying, “Credit to Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz for handling the pressure. T20 is just like this; not everyone performs at the same time.”
Addressing his own performance and suggestions that Pakistan’s fast bowlers might be underperforming, Afridi reaffirmed his commitment. “My role is to fulfill my duties, whether it’s batting or bowling. It doesn’t matter if I’m injured or unwell. My job is to keep team morale high and perform well,” he stated. He added, “It’s not that we aren’t winning; we have won, but perhaps not against bigger teams. I don’t believe our fast bowlers are struggling. The T20 format means batsmen find it easier to score on good wickets. However, we need more variation in our bowling, and we are actively working towards that.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Bangladesh, Afridi expressed Pakistan’s intent to dominate from the outset. “Bangladesh is a strong team and has been playing excellent cricket recently. We need to be proactive and play aggressively against them right from the start,” he concluded.