Former captain and dashing allrounder Shahid Afridi reckons mindset was the difference between India and Pakistan when they played a key match in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday. He warned that if work is not done on the mindset of the Pakistani players, it will further afflict the country’s cricket ecosystem.
Pakistan went down by six wickets in a highly-anticipated must-win game against India on Sunday. The Mohammad Rizwan-led team looked under pressure and in awe of their opponents who were convincing and confident.
In the chase of 242, Virat Kohli played a masterclass innings of 100 not out – his 51st ODI century and 28th in a chase – to see India through for the loss of four wickets with 45 balls to spare.
The defeat left Pakistan on the brink of exit from the Champions Trophy, an ICC event they are hosting for the first time since 1996.
Afridi said the difference between the two teams was their mindset.
Both the teams had a big gulf in their mindset. While India’s mindset was brave and strong, Pakistan’s was not strong and that played a key role when you come into a big match like this.
Pakistan did revive their innings when Shakeel (62) and Rizwan (46) put on 104 for the third wicket but their rate of scoring was slow which put the pressure back on the batters. Both got chances but fell in successive overs in the space of just eight runs.
Afridi said Pakistan was playing old-style cricket.
In 2025 Pakistan is playing 1980-1990s cricket which you cannot play. It leaves you behind and you do not match other teams who are playing aggressive and fast cricket.
You can’t play old-style cricket because the world has progressed a long way. We have to improve in all three departments of the game if we have to top the rankings or compete at the top level with teams like Australia, India, South Africa etc.
Afridi also blamed poor team selection for the Champions Trophy, leaving out a regular opener and going with just one spinner.
The selection for an important global event is also very important and it should have been better and done before time.
Afridi also blamed poor team selection for the Champions Trophy, leaving out a regular opener and going with just one spinner.
The selection for an important global event is also very important and it should have been better and done before time.
Pakistan going with just the regular opener in Fakhar Zaman and not selecting Imam-ul-Haq was criticised while the selection of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah was criticized as “political.”
Fakhar was injured in the first game and was finally replaced by Imam. They also resisted the inclusion of a second spinner and went with just one in Abrar Ahmed.
You know fast bowlers struggle in these conditions especially when the subcontinent needs spinners. Spinners have a bigger role so there should have been another genuine spinner. Then we did not know who would open. These should have been done well before the event.
Afridi warned if bold decisions were not taken, Pakistan cricket would further go down.
I think the management has to take bold decisions,” said Afridi. “We need to lift the standard of our domestic cricket so that we can produce good players. We have to work on the mindset to produce strong characters. Weak mindset and lack of bravery will not work at the top level in these modern times.
