Afridi said that he was surprised by the comments of Indian great Kapil and former IPL chairman, Rajeev Shukla, who outrightly dismissed Akhtar's suggestion. He also questioned the PCB and the Pakistan team management for making fitness of players a big issue.
A look at some of India's best victories over Pakistan in ICC tournaments.
When asked to pick the 'best batsman' he has bowled to, Afridi named legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara and South Africa's AB de Villiers.
Mohammad Wasim was sent for a MRI scan to determine the severity of his injury after he complained of lower back pain
In the absence of Afridi, vice-captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa could lead the Gladiators in the first few matches.
Pakistan players' playing kits to feature Shahid Afridi Foundation's logo
Afridi was the third Pakistan cricketer to test positive for the virus after Taufeeq Umar and Zafar Sarfaraz. After that, ten more Pakistan team players have been diagnosed with the virus before their tour of England.
In his autobiography titled 'Game Changer', the former Pakistan captain -- who is father of four daughters -- Ansha, Ajwa, Asmara and Aqsa -- said his decision was motivated by "social and religious reasons".
Since first opening the batting together in January 2023, the duo has been prolific in 50 overs cricket.
The all-star team announced by the ICC features four players from Sri Lanka, three each from Pakistan and Afghanistan and one from the West Indies.
Mohsin Naqvi on Monday vowed to fix problems in Pakistan cricket following the national team's shock defeat to Bangladesh
Shreyas Iyer's ability to negotiate spin bowling effectively makes him a crucial asset for India in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Mushfiqur made 191 and forged a 196-run stand with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77) for the seventh wicket as Bangladesh posted their highest total against Pakistan
Many Proteas players including Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Chris Morris were not part of the series against Pakistan due to the IPL.
But in a video that has gone viral on social media, India fans were seen engaging in a fun banter with Pakistan ace Shaheen Afridi in New York.
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has criticized Babar Azam for focusing on personal milestones over team success, expressing concerns about Pakistan's preparations ahead of their crucial Champions Trophy clash against India. He believes Pakistan's recent struggles, including a disappointing Tri-Nation Series campaign and a 1-1 draw against the West Indies in a home Test series, point to a lack of readiness for the India encounter.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against Pakistan on Sunday?
The run-up to the marquee event has been chaotic to say the least with change in captaincy, shuffling of the top-order and players coming out of retirement.
Former cricketer Sreesanth feels that without the swashbuckling all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, India wouldn't have lifted the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.
However, it is his superb deliveries to Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul that are being talked about after Pakistan's victory and he was deservingly awarded the Player of the Match.
Mohammed Rizwan said that the win is a special moment for him and lauded his bowlers for their performances.
Pakistan have made four changes to the side for the second Test against England after resting senior cricketers including former captain Babar Azam from the rest of the series.
In a nail-biting finish at the MCG, Australia clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first ODI on Monday night.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf denied any groupings in the dressing room.
Gautam Gambhir hit back at Shahid Afridi, offering to take him to a session with "a psychiatrist" after the former Pakistan captain wrote a few uncharitable things about the Indian opener.
The opening day's action in Pakistan's second Test against Bangladesh was washed out on Friday following incessant rain
Trent Boult has seen how Shaheen Afridi swung the ball to wreck India's top order at the Twenty20 World Cup and the New Zealand pace spearhead is plotting something similar in Sunday's crucial contest against Virat Kohli's men.
Babar Azam was dropped on Sunday, while the pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah opted to withdraw from the remaining two Tests against England.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
When asked if Pakistan team of the present has lost the formidable look it had in '80s and '90s and even early 2000s, the veteran of 398 ODIs, 99 T20Is and 27 Tests said that eras can't be simply compared.
That's not all, India's out-of-favour cricketer Gautam Gambhir found himself in the middle of the row after adding his own two bit.
'I had planned to dismiss Virat but he is the NO 1 player. There is no difference in the batting of Babar and Virat.'
Even as the dust settles over his 'we got more love in India' comment, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi raked up another controversy when he remarked that 'a lot of people are here from Kashmir' before the start of their World T20 game against New Zealand at PCA Stadium.
Joe Root and Harry Brook's centuries powered England's strong reply on Day 3 of the first Test in Multan.
Sachin Tendulkar was presented with a No 10 jersey by Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones during a special presentation at an NFL game in Houston. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Aaron Parsons handed Tendulkar the jersey.
'So much resources go into guarding this territory. So much goes into policing the Line of Control. So many mouths can get fed, so many minds can be nourished, if India and Pakistan resolve the Kashmir issue through a Kashmiri-owned, Kashmiri-led peace process'
Indian batters need to try and play him 'straight'
A PCB source however told PTI that recent media speculations about Shan Masood and Babar Azam's sacking is nothing more than kite flying.
India will be accorded a tough welcome to Australia as the Optus Stadium pitch for the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been prepared to offer "good bounce and pace"
'Don't worry, will sort it out son'
