Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has found himself at the center of controversy after fans accused him of deliberately conceding wides to prevent Virat Kohli from reaching his century during India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory over Pakistan in Dubai.
Kohli, known as the chase master, once again showcased his brilliance, guiding India to a famous win while remaining unbeaten on 100 off 111 balls. His 51st ODI century and 82nd international ton ensured India’s smooth passage to the semi-finals. However, the drama unfolded in the 42nd over, where Kohli faced an unexpected hurdle—not from Pakistan’s bowling attack, but from extras given away by Afridi.
Fans Outraged Over Shaheen’s Wides
Heading into the over, Kohli was batting on 87, with India needing 17 more runs. Axar Patel, his partner at the crease, had one simple goal—rotate the strike and allow Kohli to get his well-deserved hundred. But Afridi’s inconsistent line sparked outrage.
In a span of just four balls, Shaheen bowled three wides, frustrating both the Indian players and the crowd. One of those deliveries, flying down the leg-side, was barely stopped by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Axar Patel hesitated to run, thinking the ball was heading toward the boundary. When he finally realized it didn’t have enough pace, he rushed for a single—leading to a cold stare from Kohli.
With Kohli back on strike, Afridi continued to bowl outside off-stump and even attempted a slower bouncer, which was again called wide. As the over progressed, Kohli was left needing just six runs, but the crowd wasn’t impressed. The Dubai stadium erupted into ‘loser’ chants, accusing Shaheen of unsportsmanlike behavior.
Social Media Backlash
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) quickly echoed the frustration of the Dubai crowd, calling out Afridi for poor sportsmanship. Many believed he was intentionally giving away extras to delay Kohli’s century, leading to a wave of online criticism.
While Kohli ultimately reached his ton and sealed the win in style, the incident has sparked debate over whether Shaheen’s actions were tactical or simply reckless bowling. Regardless, India celebrated a dominant victory, while Pakistan faced scrutiny not just for their performance but also for their on-field conduct.
