Former captain Shahid Afridi has pointed out a stark difference in mindset between India and Pakistan during their Champions Trophy 2025 clash in Dubai. Speaking to Telecom Asia Sport, Afridi stated that while India played with a strong and fearless approach, Pakistan lacked the mental toughness required for high-pressure games.
Afridi, known for his aggressive playing style, criticized Pakistan’s outdated cricket strategy, claiming the team is still playing in the “1980s and 1990s.” He emphasized that without improvements in all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—Pakistan will struggle to compete with top teams like India, Australia, and South Africa.
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He also slammed Pakistan’s team selection, particularly the absence of a second specialist spinner and the exclusion of a regular opener like Imam-ul-Haq. The inclusion of Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah was labeled as “political,” further highlighting selection issues.
Afridi warned that without bold decisions and improvements in domestic cricket, Pakistan’s cricketing future looks bleak. “We need to produce strong characters with a winning mindset. Weak mental strength and lack of courage won’t work at the top level,” he concluded.
