LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captains are set to intervene in an alleged dispute involving the national team’s white-ball captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to sources, the former captains have reached out to the three senior players with an offer to mediate and resolve the conflict.
The mediation effort will include a meeting at one of the former captains’ residences upon Shaheen Afridi’s return to Pakistan. The intervention follows recent tensions reported during Pakistan’s tour to Ireland and England, where Afridi was allegedly involved in a heated argument with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf.
The confrontation reportedly occurred at Headingley during net practice when Yousuf criticized Afridi for continuously delivering no-balls. Afridi, according to sources, reacted angrily and insisted on practicing without interference.
Despite an apology from Afridi and a reprimand from team management, the incident has generated significant media attention. Afridi subsequently posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a video of himself bowling in nets with the caption “Rise Above” and an eagle emoji, reflecting his attempt to move past the controversy.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also made recent changes, including the dismissal of former pacer Wahab Riaz as senior team manager and a member of the selection committee, as well as the removal of former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the PCB selection committee, following Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.
Adding to the turmoil, white-ball coach Gary Kirsten has expressed concerns about the team’s unity and fitness. Kirsten criticized the lack of support among players and highlighted a significant gap in skill levels compared to other teams. He remarked on the team’s inability to make effective decisions during crucial moments, stating it was a situation he had never encountered in his coaching career.
The ongoing efforts to address these issues reflect a broader attempt to stabilize the Pakistan cricket team and improve performance on the international stage.
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