After relinquishing his white-ball captaincy to Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi took to social media with a cryptic message, possibly reflecting his current sentiments.
Sharing a video of a lion on his Instagram story, Afridi conveyed, “Never put me in a position where I must exhibit my cruelty and ruthlessness.” He warned against testing his patience, asserting, “Though I may appear kind and gentle, crossing my threshold will reveal a side unseen.”
This post follows Afridi’s removal as captain of the Pakistan T20 team during a training camp in Kakul.
Tensions heightened when Afridi distanced himself from a PCB statement in his name, which pledged support for Babar as a duty.
In response, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi intervened, convening with both Azam and Afridi to address the issue. Sources clarified that any misunderstanding stemming from Afridi’s disavowal of the statement had been resolved. A photo released by PCB depicted Afridi shaking hands with Naqvi, indicating a reconciled stance.
The social media post, coupled with Afridi’s public statement denial, suggests underlying tensions within the team’s leadership transition. Afridi’s cryptic message may reflect his frustration or desire to assert his authority, despite the loss of captaincy.
While the situation appears to have been diffused on the surface, the implications of Afridi’s discontent and his subsequent actions may linger, potentially influencing team dynamics and future leadership decisions.
