Shahid Afridi opens up about infamous ball-tampering controversy

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Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi opened up about his career, controversies, and opinions on the current state of cricket during an Urdu conference at the Arts Council on Saturday.  

Afridi admitted to mistakes in his playing days, including the infamous ball-tampering incident in 2010 during an ODI against Australia at the WACA. In that match, Afridi bit the ball in an attempt to alter its condition, a move that led to a two-match ban.  

"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," Afridi said, reflecting on his actions.

Afridi also shared his thoughts on the ongoing dispute between Pakistan and India over the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He backed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) firm stance against India’s refusal to play matches in Pakistan.  

"The current position of PCB on the Champions Trophy is fine. If India does not come to Pakistan, we should also avoid going there. Standing on our own feet is crucial to take a strong position," he emphasized.  

He urged the ICC to prioritize the growth of cricket rather than focusing solely on financial gains. "The ICC needs to decide whether it wants to promote cricket for everyone or focus on money," Afridi added.    

Afridi expressed reservations about appointing Shaheen Afridi as captain, suggesting that the young pacer needed more time to develop as a leader. He stated that Mohammad Rizwan would have been a better choice to succeed Babar Azam.  

"I was not in favor of Shaheen being made captain. However, he should have been given more time to mature as a leader before taking on the responsibility," Afridi said. "Rizwan was the best choice as the Pakistan captain after Babar Azam."  

He also criticized the instability in Pakistan cricket, blaming frequent changes in PCB leadership for the lack of progress.   

Afridi advised young players to focus on their on-field performance rather than their social media presence. "People often say whatever they want on social media. Criticize, but choose your words wisely," he remarked.  

He praised upcoming talents like Saim Ayub and Aamir Jamal, comparing Jamal’s potential to that of legendary all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.  

"Saim Ayub can become the top performer for Pakistan in all three formats of the game. Aamir Jamal can perform the same way Abdul Razzaq had done for Pakistan for so many years," he said.  

Afridi concluded by reflecting on his cricketing journey, revealing that Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain, Imran Khan, was his inspiration.  

"I started playing cricket by watching Imran Khan. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have become a cricketer," Afridi shared.