Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recalled his interaction with all-rounder Gulbadin Naib before Afghanistan's Champions Trophy 2025 match against England. "I remember telling Gulbadin, 'Please defeat England'. He said, 'Don't worry brother, we will not spare them'." "I told him, 'You shouldn't spare Australia either'," Akhtar added. Afghanistan defeated England by eight runs.