Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Strategic SOS to Tackle Pakistan Ace Shaheen Afridi in Champions Trophy 2025: The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is fast approaching, and for India, the prospect of facing Pakistan in this prestigious tournament has brought back memories of their last encounter in the 2021 T20 World Cup. In what was a historic upset, Pakistan defeated India by a massive margin of 10 wickets, a feat that had not been achieved by the Pakistan cricket team in World Cup history for 29 years. Since then, India has gone on to defeat Pakistan in three World Cup encounters, but the rivalry between the two cricketing giants remains as intense as ever, especially when they meet on neutral grounds like the Dubai International Stadium.
Shaheen Afridi: The Perennial Threat for India
Among the many challenges that India faces when playing against Pakistan, one player who stands out as a major threat is Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm fast bowler has consistently troubled India’s top-order, making him a key player to watch out for in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Shaheen’s ability to generate movement both in the air and off the pitch, particularly against right-handed batsmen, has made him a formidable opponent. His performances in recent encounters, including the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, have only fueled the need for India to prepare thoroughly for his challenge.
In the 2021 T20 World Cup, Shaheen Afridi delivered a clinical performance, sending Rohit Sharma back for a golden duck and reducing KL Rahul to just 1 run. To make matters worse for India, Virat Kohli’s innings of 57 was the only notable contribution as Shaheen wreaked havoc with his precision and pace. His ability to swing the ball late and attack the stumps has made him a player of great concern for Indian batters. Even in the 2023 Asia Cup, Shaheen’s impressive figures of 4/35 ensured that Pakistan remained in the contest, although the match ended in a rain-affected draw.
India’s Preparation: Calling in a Left-Arm Pacer from the UAE
Recognizing the threat posed by Shaheen Afridi, the Indian team management has left nothing to chance in their preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025. To ensure that India’s top-order is well-equipped to counter the Pakistani pacer, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have reportedly sought the help of a left-arm pacer from the UAE. This strategic move highlights the importance of addressing Shaheen’s challenge head-on, especially given the history between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium.
Awais Ahmad, a domestic cricketer from the UAE, has been roped in to help simulate the left-arm fast bowling attack that Shaheen Afridi is known for. Awais, who hails from the same region as Pakistan’s rising star Naseem Shah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was approached by the Indian coaching staff to bowl to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Ahmad’s role is to replicate the kind of challenges that Shaheen could pose, particularly focusing on the movement he generates with his deliveries.
In an interview with SportsYaari, Awais expressed his excitement at the opportunity to bowl to two of the finest batsmen in world cricket, stating, “I am very excited to bowl to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They have achieved everything in cricket, and it’s a fantastic experience to bowl to them. I can bowl both in-swing and out-swing, and hopefully, I can challenge them with my deliveries.”
The Importance of Being Prepared: A History of India-Pakistan Encounters
The rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most iconic and intense in the history of cricket. Every time these two teams meet on the field, there is a sense of nervous anticipation from both sides, and it is often the smallest of details that can tilt the balance of the game. The 2021 T20 World Cup encounter, which saw Pakistan’s historic victory, was a wake-up call for India, reinforcing the importance of meticulous preparation when it comes to facing Pakistan’s finest bowlers, particularly Shaheen Afridi.
As India gears up for their Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, they are determined to avoid a repeat of the 2021 loss. Despite India’s superior head-to-head record against Pakistan in World Cup encounters—winning 7 of the 8 matches played—there is an understanding within the Indian camp that no game against Pakistan can be taken lightly. With the likes of Shaheen Afridi on the opposing side, India must ensure that their batting order is prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
The Road to Redemption: Can India Bounce Back from 2021’s Setback?
The parallels between India’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign and their 2021 T20 World Cup campaign are striking. Both tournaments see India facing Pakistan in the group stage, and the pressure to perform is immense, especially after the humiliating defeat four years ago. In the 2021 World Cup, India was left reeling after losses to Pakistan and New Zealand, which ultimately led to their elimination from the tournament at the group stage. That defeat was India’s first World Cup loss to Pakistan in history, and it remains a painful memory for Indian cricket fans.
However, India has since come a long way. Rohit Sharma’s team has been in formidable form, with a 3-0 whitewash over England at home in the recent series, proving their mettle against top opposition. Despite the absence of key players like Jasprit Bumrah, India remains a strong contender, especially given their impressive recent record against Pakistan in ICC tournaments. The upcoming Champions Trophy is their chance to put the ghosts of 2021 behind them and assert their dominance once again.
Looking Ahead: The Battle Between India and Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025
As the Champions Trophy 2025 nears, all eyes will be on the epic showdown between India and Pakistan. With the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in top form, and a strategic focus on countering Shaheen Afridi, India is leaving no stone unturned in their bid for victory. The addition of Awais Ahmad, a left-arm pacer from the UAE, to help simulate the Shaheen Afridi threat is a testament to the meticulous planning by the Indian team. With both sides eager to prove their worth, the India-Pakistan clash promises to be an unforgettable contest, filled with intensity, passion, and high-stakes cricket.
India fans will be hoping that this time, it’s not the threat of Shaheen Afridi that steals the headlines, but their own team’s brilliant performance on the grand stage of the Champions Trophy.