Pakistan suffered a thrashing six-wicket loss to India in the Champions Trophy 2025 match in Dubai on Sunday, February 23. Mohammad Rizwan’s Pakistan fared poorly with the bat after choosing to set a target, scoring just 241 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India, powered by a flawless century from Virat Kohli, chased down the target with ease, reaching 242 in 42.3 overs while losing just four wickets.
Virat Kohli’s 100 off 111 balls proved to be the defining knock, ensuring India’s dominance over their arch-rivals. Pakistani supporters expected a lot from their powerful pace attack trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah but they could not deliver when the team needed them most.
Shaheen Afridi, although taking two wickets, was costly, conceding 74 runs in a mere eight overs. Naseem and Rauf were wicketless and could not have any significant contribution.
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There was palpable disappointment among Pakistan fans. Thousands of them had gone to Dubai anticipating redemption following Pakistan’s last loss, only to see the team deliver another uninspiring performance. In a now-viral video from the match, one upset Pakistani fan could be seen going at Shaheen Afridi, asking why the team keeps failing on the big stage.
دبئی اسٹیڈیم میں پاکستانی شایقین کرکٹ کا غصہ میں شاھین آفریدی کی کرتے ہوۓ آگے سمجھ تے توسی گٸے ھی ہو گٸے pic.twitter.com/UhvA52u29n
— Nazir Roshan 🐅 (@NazirRoshan1987) February 23, 2025
“Shaheen bhai… kitna zaleel karwaoge? Humara kya kasoor hai? Kya zulm kiya humne aap par?” the fan asked in exasperation, voicing the frustration of all the fans.
Shaheen was Pakistan’s hero against India, once famously tearing the Indian top order apart in the 2021 T20 World Cup at the same ground. His 3/31 spell had taken Pakistan to a historic 10-wicket victory, their first against India in a World Cup match. But ever since that spectacular performance, he has been unable to weave his magic in India-Pakistan clashes.
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In later high-pressure encounters, such as the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup, Shaheen appeared below par. His failure to pierce India’s batting line during these high-pressure matches has further fueled the debate about Pakistan’s underperformance in marquee competitions. With the team on the verge of a premature exit in the Champions Trophy, doubts have arisen regarding their strategy and on-field execution in the biggest competition.
