Pakistan’s Frustrated Captain Shouts At Shaheen Afridi; Pacer Retaliates By Hurling A Mouthful

Two of the biggest superstars for Pakistan, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, faced a heated argument during the opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025 at National Stadium in Karachi on February 19 (Wednesday).

The green brigade put on 320 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to the twin centuries from opener Will Young and wicket-keeper Tom Latham, besides an aggressive half-century from Glenn Phillips.

The home side was never in the chase as the defensive batting never allowed them to stay in the chase, as they fell short of 60 runs. Babar Azam acted as the main culprit for his 60 runs at a strike rate of around 71.

Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan engaged in a heated argument

On many occasions during the opening encounter of the Champions Trophy, Rizwan lost his cool on many bowlers, and he crossed the line against Afridi, Pakistan’s left-arm pacer.

Also Read: Ex-India Pacer Advices This Bowler's Name For Champions Trophy 2025 In Jasprit Bumrah’s Absence

The incident took place in the 47th over, as the Kiwis were aiming to go beyond the 300-run mark. Latham, looking to guide the ball into the on-side, got an outside edge of his blade for a boundary, as the good delivery, despite squaring up the wicket-keeper batter, went past the cushion for four runs.

Since the visiting side lost their opener, Will Young, who cracked 107 runs in 113 balls at a strike rate of 94.69, shouldering on 12 boundaries and one six, Afridi made the first chance, and it would have given him more belief had the captain praised him a bit for making the opportunity.

But instead of giving motivation, Rizwan was not impressed and said something animatedly to the left-arm pacer, with signs of blaming the fast bowlers. The left-arm pacer didn’t hold back and retaliated by hurling a mouthful of his own.

Renowned commentator supports Shaheen Afridi

The former Kiwi pacer and the renowned commentator, Simon Doull, was present on air during the incident, and he disagreed with Rizwan’s body language. He praised Afridi for the good delivery.

"I'm sorry, but you cannot be having a go at the bowler there. It was a genuinely good delivery." Doull expressed.

A few overs ago, Riwan had the same behavior against Abrar Ahmed, as the left-arm spinner conceded 16 runs in his final over. After Latham swept Abrar for an over boundary, the wicket-keeper walked up to him and explained something to the bowler, which Abrar failed to deliver, as Rizwan shouted at the spinner.

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— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) February 19, 2025

It was a baffling bowling performance from Pakistan, who had the visiting side 73/3 in the 17th over. Afridi went wicketless for 68 runs in 10 overs, while the Blackcaps batters thumped Rauf for 2/83 in his 10 overs.

Pakistan hopes for better and more aggressive batting against India

One could have written a missing report on Pakistan’s intent during their 321-run chase at the National Stadium in Karachi. Babar’s knock as an opener at a strike rate of around 71 didn’t allow the home side to get near the chase.

Also Read: Pakistan Pacer Teased By Virat Kohli? Leaks Personal Chat With Indian Batter

It was only the two innings from vice-captain Salman Ali Agha and Khusdil Shah that carried them near the target but wasn’t enough at the end as Pakistan fell short by 60 runs in the chase. Against India, they will be without their regular opener, Fakhar Zaman, who has been ruled out of the competition due to chest pain.

That put the green brigade in a tough position of coming out with more changes in their opening spot and the entire side in a do-or-die clash on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.