![Shaheen Afridi is no longer a realistic threat vs India [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1758535890419_Shaheen_Afridi_IND_PAK_Asia_Cup_2025.jpg?type=hq)
Shaheen Afridi is no longer a realistic threat vs India [Source: @CallMeSheri1_/X.com]
In October 2021, the cricketing world was left stunned when Shaheen Afridi dismantled India's top order in the T20 World Cup. His blistering spell in Dubai, in which he bowled out Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli, made him a Pakistan hero overnight.
That night, Pakistan celebrated their first-ever World Cup win against India, and Shaheen became the face of their triumph. However, that spell has since turned out to be a curse rather than a boon.
Shaheen Afridi’s night of glory
On October 24, 2021, Shaheen Afridi dismantled India’s top order with his fiery new-ball spell in the group stage clash of the T20 World Cup. He dismissed Rohit Sharma for a duck, KL Rahul for 3 and broke Virat Kohli’s 57-run resistance to claim a 3-wicket-haul.
Immediately after, Afridi mocked the Indian batsmen, gesturing as if saying, “Is that all you’ve got?” The clip spread like wildfire on social media, with fans calling out his arrogance and lack of showmanship.
That day became a defining moment in Afridi’s career, but for all the wrong reasons.
The 2021 spell made him a star, but did it also curse Shaheen Afridi?
| Criterion | T20Is |
| Matches | 4 |
| Wickets | 1 |
| Average | 126.00 |
| Economy | 9.10 |
(Table: Shaheen Afridi's T20I stats vs India after 2021)
While Shaheen Afridi was expected to transform into a generational fast bowler for Pakistan, his form has only gone down fully since that fateful night of October 24, 2021.
Since 2021, he has played 4 T20Is against India and managed to pick a single wicket with a humiliating average of 126.00 and an economy of 9.10. In the last 2 games against India in the Asia Cup 2025 so far, the left-arm pacer has conceded 63 runs in 5.5 overs combined without a single wicket.
Even in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy games against India, Afridi picked 4 wickets while conceding 110 runs in 14 overs combined.
After 2021, his only somewhat significant spell came in the 2023 Asia Cup, where he picked 4 wickets for 35 runs in 10 overs.
What went wrong with Shaheen Afridi?
Frequent injury issues
- Shaheen Afridi’s overall decline in international cricket essentially began after 2022, when he sustained a knee injury and the PCB poorly managed his rehabilitation just to rush him back, ruining things for the worse.
- Experts opine that the injury impaired his biomechanics, his seam positioning and wrist action, which were pivotal in swing and accuracy. Moreover, Afridi’s prime strength, his pace, also dropped significantly, thus reducing his efficiency.
Psychological pressure, predictable modus operandi
- However, against India, the left-arm pacer’s problem is mental as much as technical. That 2021 spell raised expectations to sky-high levels. Every time Shaheen Afridi runs in against India now, fans expect a repeat of that magical night. But cricket is a sport of continuous modification, and though India was better prepared to deal with him, Shaheen's own evolution hasn't been in sync.
- Additionally, Indian batters have learned to handle Shaheen Afridi’s pace and swing by adopting an aggressive mindset from the first ball. They focus on playing the ball, not the bowler, using a straight bat and picking gaps early. Mental resilience, quick footwork, and attacking intent have neutralised his early overs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while that one spell made him a hero, four years later, the same opponents have turned him into just another bowler they can handle. For Shaheen Afridi, the challenge now is not just to rediscover his swing but also to rediscover his aura against the team that once made him a superstar.
