A new controversy is reportedly brewing between Shaheen Afridi and the Pakistan Cricket Board. And at the center is a statement that the cricket board posted on its website on behalf of Afridi. In the said statement, Afridi, who was stripped of Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy, on Sunday extended his full support to Babar Azam, who was handed back the leadership role ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.
Afridi led Pakistan in a solitary T20I series against New Zealand before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to hand the T20I and ODI reins back to Babar. The elegant batsman had resigned his captaincy after the side failed to reach the knockout stages of last year’s 50-over World Cup. Shan Masood will continue as Pakistan Test captain.
The statement read: “It has been an absolute honor to captain the Pakistan National Cricket Team. I will always cherish the memories and the opportunity. As a team player, it is my duty to support our captain, Babar Azam,” Afridi said in a statement. statement issued by the PCB.
“I have played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I will try to help him both on and off the field. We are all one. Our goal is the same: to help Pakistan become the best team in the world.” he added.
In the same statement, Babar said he will rely on Afridi to exploit his tactical knowledge of the game.
“It has been a pleasure to play under Shaheen’s leadership. He is still young and improving every day as a player and as a leader. As captain I have always valued his input and I will continue to consult him for important decisions in the future .
“We must take advantage of his strategic knowledge of the game. Our common goal is to make this team the best in the world,” Babar said.
Now a report in ESPNCricinfohas claimed that Afridi is furious for not making such a statement. The report claimed that the said statement was issued by the PCB without the consent of the fast bowler. The report further added that Afridi was about to make a personal statement on the ‘fake’ quote, which was halted after an emergency meeting of the PCB. Another meeting has been arranged with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and Afridi, the report said.
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