Former Pakistan cricket star Shahid Afridi has stirred up fresh controversy over umpiring decisions in the Asia Cup 2025. His comments focus on the dramatic dismissal of opener Fakhar Zaman during Pakistan’s Super 4 match against India on Sunday.
Afridi, chatting on Samaa TV, took a playful jab at the officials. “They need to work in the IPL also,” he said, hinting at the high-stakes scrutiny in India’s premier league.
The incident unfolded early in Pakistan’s chase after India chose to bowl first. Fakhar started strong, smashing three boundaries off top bowler Jasprit Bumrah. But in the third over, he edged an off-cutter from Hardik Pandya. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson dove to pouch the catch, sparking debate as replays suggested the ball might have grazed the ground.
After a long review, the third umpire upheld the on-field call and gave Fakhar out. The batter walked off looking stunned, and it fueled backlash in Pakistan’s cricket community.
Cricket legend Mohammad Yousuf backed Afridi, calling the timing a big blow. “He was our main player and got off to a great start, hitting boundaries against world-class bowlers like Bumrah,” Yousuf said. He believed Fakhar’s fiery knock could have changed the entire India vs Pakistan clash.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha shared his doubts after the game. “I don’t really know about the decision. To me, it looked like it bounced, but umpires can make mistakes,” he told reporters. Agha added that losing Fakhar early killed their momentum. “If he had stayed, I felt we could have reached around 190,” he noted.
Without Fakhar, Pakistan struggled to 172 all out. Sahibzada Farhan fought hard with 58, but it wasn’t enough. India cruised to victory in the chase, thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 74 off 39 balls and Shubman Gill’s steady 47. The defending champions won by six wickets with seven balls left.
This loss puts pressure on Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. They now need strong wins in their remaining Super 4 games against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to stay in the qualification race. A rematch with India in the final could still happen if things go their way.
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