Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s spearhead, has been one of the most influential bowlers in India–Pakistan encounters over the last few years. Known for his lethal new-ball swing and ability to strike early, Shaheen has delivered some iconic spells against India in ODIs and T20Is. Here’s a complete breakdown of Shaheen Afridi’s record vs India, his Dubai International Cricket Stadium stats, and his overall impact in high-pressure games.
Shaheen Afridi vs India – ODI Bowling Overview
Shaheen has played multiple ODIs against India and has been a consistent wicket-taker.
| Match Date | Venue | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Economy | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Sep 2018 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 6.0 | 0 | 42 | 7.00 | – |
| 02 Sep 2023 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | 10.0 | 4 | 35 | 4.81 | 4/35 |
| 10 Sep 2023 | R Premadasa Stadium | 10.0 | 1 | 79 | 7.90 | 1/79 |
| 14 Oct 2023 | Narendra Modi Stadium | 6.0 | 2 | 36 | 6.00 | 2/36 |
| 23 Feb 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 8.0 | 2 | 74 | 7.51 | 2/74 |
Highlights:
- 4/35 at Pallekele (2023) remains his career-best ODI spell vs India, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja.
- His ability to take top-order wickets early often puts India under pressure.
- Although expensive in Dubai 2025 (2/74), he still removed Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya — two big breakthroughs.
Shaheen Afridi vs India – T20I Bowling Overview
| Match Date | Venue | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Economy | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Oct 2021 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 4.0 | 3 | 31 | 7.75 | 3/31 |
| 23 Oct 2022 | MCG | 4.0 | 0 | 34 | 8.50 | – |
| 09 Jun 2024 | Nassau County, USA | 4.0 | 1 | 29 | 7.25 | 1/29 |
Key Takeaways:
- Iconic 3/31 in 2021 T20 World Cup – dismissed Rohit Sharma (lbw), KL Rahul (bowled), and Virat Kohli (caught) in a match-winning spell.
- Continues to be a threat with the new ball, often swinging momentum in Pakistan’s favor in the powerplay.
Read more: Fakhar Zaman vs India: Stats (T20, ODI)
Shaheen Afridi at Dubai International Cricket Stadium Records
Dubai is Shaheen’s favorite hunting ground, where he has delivered some of his best spells.
ODI Stats at Dubai
| Opponent | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India (2018) | 6.0 | 0 | 42 | 7.00 |
| India (2025) | 8.0 | 2 | 74 | 7.51 |
| New Zealand (2018) | 3.5 | 1 | 18 | 4.70 |
T20I Stats at Dubai
| Opponent | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India (2021) | 4.0 | 3 | 31 | 7.75 |
| New Zealand (2018) | 4.0 | 3 | 20 | 5.00 |
| Afghanistan (2021) | 4.0 | 1 | 22 | 5.50 |
| Australia (2018 & 2021) | 8.0 | 3 | 70 | 8.75 |
| Oman (2025) | 4.0 | 1 | 20 | 5.00 |
Dubai Impact:
- Has taken 11 T20I wickets in Dubai at an average of just 14.8.
- Famous for his ability to swing the new ball under lights, making him one of the most dangerous bowlers at this venue.
Read more: Most Wickets in Asia Cup History (ODI & T20I)
Batting Record vs India
Although primarily a bowler, Shaheen has had a few batting appearances against India:
| Format | Runs | Best | Not Outs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 9 | 7* | 2 | 52.94 |
| T20I | 16 | 16 (MCG 2022) | 1 | 177.78 |
Observation:
- Plays small cameos down the order; his unbeaten 16 at MCG in 2022 came at a strike rate of 200.
Overall Impact vs India
Shaheen Afridi remains one of the most feared bowlers for India’s top order. His ability to dismiss Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early has been a game-changer in multiple matches. On flat pitches like Ahmedabad or Dubai, his early breakthroughs keep Pakistan in the contest, while his economy rate makes him valuable in the death overs too.
Read more: India vs Pakistan Head to Head T20I Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s record against India is a mix of brilliance and occasional off days, but his match-winning spells — especially the 2021 T20 World Cup 3/31 and 2023 Asia Cup 4/35 — have cemented his place as one of the biggest threats for India. With future matches likely to be held in Dubai and other subcontinental venues, Shaheen’s ability to swing the new ball will continue to be Pakistan’s key weapon in this high-voltage rivalry.
