IND vs PAK: Ahead of the big India vs Pakistan clash in the group stage of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has handed a damning indictment of the current Pakistan team. Afridi claimed that the current team that is looking to defend its Champions Trophy title doesn’t have players who know how to win a game single-handedly.
“If we talk about match-winners, I’d say that India has more match-winners compared to Pakistan. A match-winner is someone who knows how to win the game single-handedly. Right now, we don’t have such players in Pakistan,” Shahid Afridi said on JioHotstar for a special show in the build up to the India vs Pakistan game.
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In the show, Afridi was joined by Yuvraj Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu, and former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Talking about India, Afridi said: “India’s strength lies in its middle and lower order, which has been winning them matches. For a long time, we have been giving opportunities to players, but no one has stepped up consistently. Some have performed in a few games, but we don’t have players who have sustained their performance for a year, two years, or across 50-60 matches. That’s where we are a little weaker compared to India, which is very strong in this area. But the key to winning against India is collective performance — whether it’s the batsmen, bowlers, or spinners — everyone’s contribution is crucial.”
Shahid Afridi also weighed in on Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy.
“As a captain, Rizwan has to set an example for others — that is very important. He must perform in every game, and his attitude, body language, and leadership matter a lot. Being a captain comes with equal amounts of praise and criticism. His performance will be crucial, as he is the glue that holds the team together. He treats everyone equally, he is a fighter, and his energy on the field is infectious. I have seen him step up in big matches, and I am confident he will lead the team well.”
