Former India's cricketer Yograj Singh launched a scathing attack on Pakistan team following their humiliating six-wicket loss to India in their Champions Trophy 2025 clash on February 23. Yograj specifically lambasted on specific player actions including Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed after their behavior towards Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. While Abrar Ahmed gave a rude send-off to Shubman Gill, Shaheen Afridi bowled a wide ball when Virat Kohli was on cusp of clocking a century during the India versus Pakistan clash. Yograj Singh particularly went down heavily on Shaheen Afridi, alleging that he intentionally bowled wide deliveries to Virat Kohli, preventing him from scoring a century.
Yograj Singh labels Shaheen Afridi's wide-ball antics against Virat Kohli as 'cheap mentality'
It all happened during the 42nd over of India's run chase against Pakistan. With India needing 17 runs to win and Kohli requiring 13 for his century, Afridi's final over became a point of contention. He bowled three wide balls, conceding four extra runs, which altered the required run equation. By the end of the over, India needed only five runs, while Kohli still needed six to reach his hundred, fueling Yograj Singh's accusation of deliberate wide bowling.
Two-time World Cup-winner Yuvraj Singh's father labelled the Shaheen Afridi's bowling strategy as 'cheap mentality'. He went further, attributing Pakistan's premature elimination from the Champions Trophy to a deficiency in effective leadership. Yograj feels Pakistan's performance was not solely a matter of individual player actions, but also reflected a broader failure in strategic guidance and decision-making.
"After getting the opponent out, one of the players (Abrar Ahmed) gestured. Then, when Kohli was about to score a hundred...if you have the ability bowl well and get him out. What were you (Shaheen Afridi) doing by bowling wides so that he couldn't score a century? Such a cheap mentality. This is not what you should be doing. Regardless of the result, you should play like a lion or a champion. However, Pakistan does not have good leadership in the team or in the country. I heard what the Prime Minister said and could not stop laughing. I pity Pakistan," Yograj told News 18.
Despite Afridi's bowling tactics Virat Kohli cracked the century in India's six-wicket win over Pakistan, which also marked his first-ever Champions Trophy hundred.
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Now, Pakistan, who are already eliminated from the Champions Trophy, are scheduled to face Bangladesh in their last league-stage match, which is a dead rubber clash.
Earlier, Yograj vowed to bring Pakistan team on track if given chance to coach them.
"Such big players like Wasim Akram-saying such disgusting things? And people around him are laughing. They should be ashamed. Shoaib Akhtar, such a big player-you are comparing Pakistan's players with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli? Wasim ji, you are sitting there and making money, no? Go back to your country and conduct a camp. I want to see which of you greats can help Pakistan win a World Cup. If not, resign," Yograj Singh earlier told SportsNext.
"If I go there (to Pakistan), I will make the team better within a year. You will all remember me. It's all about passion. Yograj Singh gives 12 hours a day for training. You have to dedicate your blood and sweat to your countrymen, your players. Talking big while sitting in the commentary box doesn't make a difference," he concluded.
