‘Shaheen was alone…’ – Rumours intensify about rift between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan journalist expresses concern
Pakistan’s T20I captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and former skipper Babar Azam are reportedly not on good terms. The rumours of a rift between them surfaced after Pakistan’s recent defeat against New Zealand in the first T20I in Auckland. It was Shaheen Afridi’s first match as captain, and there were observations that he seemed isolated, raising questions about the team’s unity.
According to senior Pakistani journalist Ejaz Bakhri, Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam have stopped talking to each other. Bakhri mentioned that the new captain did not seek suggestions from senior players and appeared under pressure during the game. He also claimed that Afridi positioned Babar Azam in the deep, away from the action, possibly to avoid communication.
Bakhri expressed his concerns, stating, “Shaheen was alone. He was not talking to anyone, he was not discussing and taking suggestions from anyone, and his bowlers were getting hammered. He has pushed Babar Azam to deep mid-on; he was your ex-captain and captain in the last T20I event. At least talk to him and coordinate with him. Shaheen Afridi looked nervous.”
Bakhri blames Zaka Ashraf for the situation
Furthermore, the journalist criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) boss Zaka Ashraf, blaming him for the team’s struggles. Bakhri questioned the changes made by Ashraf, including the captaincy, coaching staff, and players, without yielding positive results. He expressed frustration, saying, “I don’t know what Zaka Ashraf has done to this team. He has changed the captain, coaches, and players, but the team is still not winning.”
After the intense match in Auckland, the T20I action continued at Seddon Park in Hamilton on January 14, Sunday. Pakistan once again failed to put up a show as they lost the game by 21 runs. The reports of a strained relationship between the captain and the former skipper have added an extra layer of scrutiny to the team dynamics, and fans are keenly watching how the players will respond in the upcoming encounters.
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