'Did It To Win': Shahid Afridi Regrets Scandalous Ball Tampering Incident For Pakistan
![Shahid Afridi recalls infamous ball tampering incident [Source: @SajSadiqCricket/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1733668149942_Shahid_Afridi_PAK.jpg?type=tq)
Shahid Afridi recalls infamous ball tampering incident [Source: @SajSadiqCricket/X.com]
Former Pakistan cricket captain and prolific all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been frank about his controversies while speaking at an Urdu conference held at the Arts Council in Karachi. He expressed regret in resorting to unsporting means back in 2010, but admitted to doing so solely to win the game for his country.
Shahid Afridi's ball-tampering incident is one of the more infamous episodes of his cricketing career. It happened during an ODI against Australia in January 2010 at the WACA Stadium in Perth. Afridi, who captained Pakistan in that match, was caught biting the cricket ball in an attempt to alter its condition to make it swing more in Australia's chase.
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Shahid Afridi express regret on ball tampering incident
The incident was captured on camera and invited immediate criticism. Shahid Afridi was charged with ball-tampering under the ICC's Code of Conduct and was henceforth given a two-match ban.
Recalling the same at the Urdu conference at the Arts Council, Shahid Afridi said he shouldn't have resorted to illegal means. However, the former all-rounder stated that the context of competitive pressure and desire to win for his country led to a lapse in decision-making.
"I shouldn't have resorted to ball-tampering or roughing up the pitch, but at the time, I did it in an attempt to win," he said.
This is often considered as among the defining yet contentious moments in the career of Afridi, while his outstanding performances on-field are overshadowed.
Afridi urges Pakistan to stand on its feet amid standoff with India
In the same event, Shahid Afridi put forth his views on prevailing cricketing issues, one of which was the recent Pakistan-India dispute regarding hosting the Champions Trophy 2025. He went out of his way to assert strong support for the stance of the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the refusal of India to host matches in Pakistan. In doing so, he believed in a united and independent cricketing diplomacy.
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