Shaheen Afridi dismissed Rohit Sharma in the game between the Indian cricket team and the Pakistan cricket team on 23rd February 2025 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Afridi picked Rohit Sharma’s wicket in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, and it looks like he has figured out the trick to pick up the crucial wicket of the Indian captain. Sharma is regarded as one of the best One Day International players in the world, which is why it was very important for Pakistan that Shaheen Afridi picked up his wicket as soon as possible, and that is exactly what he ended up delivering on Sunday.
Credit: Daily Times
When India came out to bat, the atmosphere was electric, with fans from both nations filling the stadium with a blend of excitement and nervous energy. Rohit Sharma, India’s much-respected captain, was at the crease, aiming to set the tone for the chase and get his team off to a good start. However, Afridi had a different plan in mind and immediately started trying to execute it. His in-swinging yorker had always been a huge problem for Rohit Sharma, which is why Afridi targeted this ball right from the start. However, such a delivery requires perfect execution, and the Pakistan bowler struggled to make it happen.
Shaheen Afridi struggled to land his yorkers, and Sharma took advantage of this, hitting three fours and one six to give India a decent start. However, he finally managed to deliver the perfect ball in the fifth over. His in-swinging yorker was aimed right near Sharma’s leg, and while the Indian star tried to bring his bat down in time, he was unable to do so, and the ball went crashing into the wickets. Shaheen Afridi repeated what he had done multiple times in the past and picked up the crucial wicket of Indian captain Rohit Sharma to give the Pakistan cricket team a chance to try and defend the total and beat India.
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One of the key takeaways from the delivery was not just its aesthetic beauty but the strategic execution behind it. Afridi had clearly formulated his plan, studying Sharma’s technique and previous outings against in-swinging deliveries. Rohit has long been celebrated for his expansive shot-making ability and his clever placement of the ball, but he has sometimes struggled against bowlers who can deliver the ball with pace while also bringing it back in sharply. Shaheen Afridi’s ball was a clear indication that he was well aware of this and aimed to exploit it to maximum effect right from the start.
Shaheen Afridi stunned Rohit Sharma in 2021 in Dubai.
Shaheen trashed hitman again at dubai.
EAGLE HAS DONE IT…!!!
#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/qxywSWaLjw
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) February 23, 2025
The Indian batsman got out in a very similar way during the 2021 T20 World Cup, which took place in Dubai. Shaheen Afridi’s in-swinging yorker missed Sharma’s bat, and while it did not hit the stumps, it crashed into the batsman’s pads, giving Afridi a plump LBW wicket. Sharma’s lack of movement and inability to deal with balls near his legs have always been a problem, and if the bowlers can execute such balls regularly, it could be a huge problem for the Indian star. While not many bowlers can execute this properly, Shaheen Shah has displayed how the very same ball can continue to cause problems for Shamra.
Going forward, fans will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on how Rohit Sharma addresses this vulnerability. Will he modify his technique against in-swingers? Will he practice more frequently against similar deliveries in the nets? Such adjustments could be vital for his future games, particularly in high-pressure matches where every wicket holds significant weight. If Shaheen Shah ends up mastering this ball, Rohit Sharma could be useless against Pakistan’s bowling attack, and Sharma will need to deal with this problem as soon as possible. It will be interesting to see what changes Sharma and Afridi make the next time they face each other.
For more news and updates on Shaheen Afridi, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram.
Guransh Machra is a sportswriter at Gutshot Magazine. He covers football news from local leagues like the Indian Super League as well as international leagues like the Premier League. He follows various sports like Football, Cricket, Formula 1, and Tennis. Apart from sports, Guransh is also enthusiastic about reading and gaming.
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