Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has suggested a surprising strategy for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 Group A match against India: resting key players Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman. This suggestion, made during a discussion on Samaa TV, was intended as a "mind game" to unsettle the Indian team. The anchor of the show responded with amusement and disbelief, even asking Yousuf if he had slept well the previous night.
Yousuf's rationale is that resting Shaheen and Fakhar, both impactful players, would sow seeds of doubt and uncertainty in the Indian camp. He believes that India, who are considered favorites for the match, would be thrown off their guard by this unexpected move.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is a left-arm fast bowler who made his debut for Pakistan in 2018 and quickly rose to prominence. He was named the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year in 2021. Afridi has a knack for taking wickets, with 131 in ODIs and 108 in T20Is. Shaheen's best Asia Cup performance came against India in a 2023 match, where he took 4 wickets for 35 runs. He has dismissed top Indian batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul in previous encounters.
Fakhar Zaman is a left-handed batsman known for his aggressive and explosive batting style. Zaman has played 86 ODIs, scoring 3,651 runs at an average of 46. He also has 11 ODI centuries. In T20Is, he has scored 1848 runs in 92 matches. Zaman has a good record against India in ODIs, averaging 46.80 with a high score of 114. His 114 in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India remains one of his most memorable innings.
The idea of resting Shaheen and Fakhar has sparked debate among cricket fans and analysts. Some argue that it is too risky to bench two of Pakistan's most important players for such a high-stakes match. Others believe that it could be a clever psychological tactic that could give Pakistan an edge.
Despite the strong feelings and boycott campaigns due to the war-like situation earlier this year, the match is going forward. India and Pakistan have a long and storied rivalry in cricket. Matches between the two teams are always highly anticipated and watched by millions of fans around the world. The pressure on the players is immense, and the outcome of the match can have a significant impact on the morale of both nations.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to rest Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman rests with the Pakistan team management. It is a gamble that could either pay off handsomely or backfire spectacularly. Only time will tell if Mohammad Yousuf's unconventional suggestion will be heeded.
