The former Pakistan captain recalls his memorable interaction with MS Dhoni before the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
February 18, 2025: Sarfaraz Ahmed Shares Backstory of Son’s Viral Picture With MS Dhoni
Ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has revealed the story behind the iconic 2017 picture of MS Dhoni holding his son, Abdullah.
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The heartwarming photo, taken on the eve of the 2017 Champions Trophy final, had gone viral at the time, showcasing a moment of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the two cricketing giants. Now, eight years later, Sarfaraz has opened up about the conversation he had with Dhoni that day.
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“The moment happened when his family friends were visiting, and Dhoni happened to come downstairs. He thought it would be a perfect opportunity to capture the moment with my three-month-old son,” Sarfaraz told Cricket Pakistan.
A Conversation on Leadership and Wicketkeeping
While Pakistan went on to win the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India by 180 runs, Sarfaraz shared that he had a long and insightful conversation with Dhoni the night before the match.
“I had a long conversation with Dhoni about wicketkeeping and cricket in general. I asked him how he managed to balance his roles as a wicketkeeper, batsman, and captain. The tips Dhoni shared with me were immensely helpful. He was very humble and generous in offering his advice.”
Sarfaraz, like Dhoni, is also a wicketkeeper-batsman and led Pakistan to their first ICC 50-over tournament victory since Imran Khan’s 1992 World Cup win. He credited Dhoni’s advice for helping him refine his leadership and wicketkeeping skills.
India vs Pakistan: Champions Trophy 2025 Showdown
India and Pakistan are set to face off once again in Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on February 23. This marks another chapter in their historic cricketing rivalry.
🔹 India and Pakistan have been placed in a group with New Zealand and Bangladesh.
🔹 Pakistan are aiming for their second successive Champions Trophy title, while India will look to become the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
The tournament is also significant as it marks the first time Pakistan will host a major ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup.
Despite their fierce competition on the field, Sarfaraz highlighted the respect and camaraderie shared between Indian and Pakistani players.
“Whenever Indian and Pakistani players meet, there is always mutual respect and friendship. After matches, it’s not uncommon to see players like Shoaib Malik, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and others sitting together, chatting, and enjoying each other’s company,” he said.
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MS Dhoni, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Champions Trophy 2025, India vs Pakistan, Cricket Rivalry, ICC Champions Trophy, Dhoni Sarfaraz Viral Photo, Pakistan Cricket, Indian Cricket, Cricket News