Wasim Akram advises Shaheen Afridi ahead of Asia Cup Super 4 clash with India

DUBAI: Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has urged Shaheen Shah Afridi to adjust his strategy against Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill as the two sides prepare for their Super Four encounter in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Akram pointed out that Gill could be vulnerable early on if tested with the right variations, citing Omani pacer Shah Faisal’s late-swinging delivery that dismissed the Indian opener during India’s Group A fixture on Friday.

“That’s what I want Shaheen Afridi to do early on, because the whole world now knows the plan against him,” Akram said.

“They say, ‘Okay, he’ll be bowling yorkers first up.’ So Afridi needs to have a Plan B. This is the length he should be bowling.”

The former captain stressed that over-reliance on consecutive yorkers could backfire.

“I’m fine with one-off yorkers, but not two or three in a row, because if he misses even one, it’s going for a boundary with only two fielders outside the circle. He ends up putting pressure on himself.

Mixing it up with length balls is better. One yorker, yes, but not straightaway, and not every ball.”

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Reflecting on Pakistan’s recent seven-wicket defeat to India, Akram also criticised the batting unit for their inability to handle Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed three wickets in that match.

“It’s just the way he (Kuldeep) bowls. They can’t read him. In the pre-show, I was talking to Sunny bhai (Sunil Gavaskar), who said unless you read him from the hand, you won’t understand that type of bowling.

When Pakistan’s batters sweep against Kuldeep every second ball, it means they are not reading him,” Akram observed.

Pakistan, bundled out for 127 in that earlier clash, will look to bounce back as they gear up for their high-stakes meeting with arch-rivals India.