“Cheap Mentality”: Shaheen Afridi Accused Of Deliberately Bowling Wides To Deny Virat Kohli Century

The India vs Pakistan, Champions Trophy 2025 conflict was a dream recreation for star batter Virat Kohli. He was going via a lean patch with the bat, however rose to the event in type as India outplayed arch-rivals Pakistan by 6 wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Kohli slammed a 100 not out because the Rohit Sharma-led aspect chased down a paltry goal of 242 runs towards Pakistan in 42.3 overs. It was Kohli’s 51st century in ODI cricket, however that got here after giving the followers some actually tense moments. As Kohli was nearing his ton, India had been additionally near the victory line. At one level it even seemed just like the win will stop Kohli’s century because the required runs in direction of the top had been fairly few.

Ahead of the forty second over of the India innings, the aspect wanted 17 runs to win, whereas Kohli was 13 away from the three-figure mark. Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi got here in to bowl the over and conceded 13 runs in it that included three wides.

Shaheen’s efficiency raised a number of eyebrows and a few even alleged that he intentionally bowled these wides in an try to deny Kohli his century. During an interplay with News18 India, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh‘s father Yograj Singh, who himself is an ex-international participant, made related allegations towards the ace Pakistan pacer and slammed him by calling it a “cheap mentality”.

“After getting the opponent out, one of the players (Abrar Ahmed) gestured. Then, when Kohli was about to score a hundred…if you have the ability bowl well and get him out. What were you (Shaheen Afridi) doing by bowling wides so that he couldn’t score a century? Such a cheap mentality. This is not what you should be doing. Regardless of the result, you should play like a lion or a champion,” stated Yograj, who has performed one Test and 6 ODIs for India.

A classic Kohli despatched the Dubai crowd in a frenzy, smashing his 51st ODI ton as India outclassed Pakistan within the match. It was India’s second consecutive win within the match because the aspect had kicked off its marketing campaign with an similar win margin towards Bangladesh.

The Rohit Sharma-led staff has made it to the semi-finals of the match. Ahead of the knockout match, India might be dealing with New Zealand of their final league recreation in Dubai. After this, the aspect might be in motion in the course of the first semi-final on March 4 on the similar venue.