Related Articles
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja took a sharp dig at Waqar Younis during a TV show discussion, pointing out that Afghanistan has won more ICC event matches than Pakistan in recent years. His remark came after Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, following losses to India and New Zealand.
Pakistan, the host nation, became the first team to be eliminated, marking a disappointing end to their campaign in what was their first time hosting an ICC event in 29 years. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains in contention for a semifinal spot, despite their last game against Australia being abandoned due to rain.
Table of content
Ajay Jadeja’s Sharp Dig at Waqar Younis
During a pre-game TV panel discussion, the topic of Afghanistan’s performance came up. Waqar Younis questioned whether Afghanistan had the capability to defeat top-tier teams like Australia, despite their victory over England.
In response, Ajay Jadeja, who had mentored the Afghanistan team in the T20 World Cup, reminded Waqar that Afghanistan has outperformed Pakistan in ICC events over the past three tournaments.
“They have won more games than your team, my friend, in ICC events. Anybody who thinks it’s a one-off thing is fooling themselves.”
His remark left the panel in stunned silence as Waqar Younis struggled to respond.
Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy Semifinal Hopes
Following their washout against Australia, Afghanistan’s semi-final fate now depends on the outcome of England vs South Africa. Here’s what needs to happen:
✅ Australia has already qualified with four points.
✅ Afghanistan and South Africa both have three points each.
✅ England is already eliminated with zero points.
For Afghanistan to qualify:
- England must defeat South Africa by at least 207 runs if they bat first and post a total over 300.
- If England chases, they need to reach the target in 11.1 overs (assuming a 300+ first-innings score).
While Afghanistan’s chances hang by a thread, their performances in recent ICC events have proven that they are no longer underdogs but serious contenders on the global stage.
Ajay Jadeja’s remark serves as a reminder of Pakistan’s struggles and Afghanistan’s meteoric rise in international cricket.
