Shahid Afridi Offers Advice to Pakistan on Team Selection Ahead of India Clash 

As Pakistan gears up for their high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against India in Dubai, former captain Shahid Afridi has weighed in on the team’s strategy and makeup, offering sage advice to team management ahead of the fixture. Speaking on a talk show previewing the game, Afridi asked Pakistan’s management to try new combinations against the favored side.

The legendary all-rounder lobbied for Imam-ul-Haq’s inclusion in the playing XI as an opener alongside Babar Azam, while he also advocated for a spot in the playing XI for Usman Khan to bring an X-factor to the team’s lineup.

Sharing his two cents ahead of the much-anticipated fixture, Afridi emphasized the importance of a stable opening partnership and named Babar and Imam as the ideal duo to set the tone against India. Imam, who was only recently announced as part of the team due to Fakhar Zaman’s injury, has been a reliable performer in ODIs, while Babar remains vital to Pakistan’s chances despite his troubles.

While Babar and Imam are established stars in ODI cricket, it is Afridi’s endorsement of Usman Khan that might puzzle onlookers. Afridi has called for Usman’s inclusion, highlighting his ability to play aggressive, fearless cricket—an approach that is now missing from Pakistan’s batting lineup and one that could unsettle India’s surging bowling attack. Usman, who has been making waves in franchise cricket, carries the reputation of a destructive force but has not played a single ODI in his young international career yet.

However, the former captain believes that Sunday’s game could be the best time to unleash the batter, stressing the lasting impact a victory against India can have. “If you win against India, you can become a hero, and your nation will remember you for a very long time,” Afridi stated, reinforcing the prestige and pressure surrounding this fixture.

Pakistan, coming off a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match, will be desperate to turn things around against their arch-rivals India. The match, set for February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium, carries immense stakes, not only in the context of the tournament but also in terms of national pride. With Afridi advocating key changes, it remains to be seen whether the team management heeds his advice and makes bold calls for the crunch encounter.