The issue surrounding the Pakistani cricket team's captaincy has taken a severe turn for the worse. According to a report from EspnCricinfo, Shaheen Afridi is furious that the PCB used a phoney statement in support of Babar Azam which he actually never made.
It is reported that the PCB did not request a statement from Afridi to be used in a press release. But shortly after Babar Azam was named captain again, PCB issued a statement in the name of Shaheen in which he promised to back Babar Azam wholeheartedly. Afridi is extremely dissatisfied with the way he has been handled throughout the entire captaincy U-turn.
"I will always cherish the memories and the opportunity," a statement, attributed to Afridi, said. "As a team player, it is my duty to back our captain, Babar Azam. I have played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I will try to help him on and off the field. We are all one. Our aim is the same, to help Pakistan become the best team in the world."
However, Afridi never provided any such statement.
Afridi was about to make a statement since he was so angry with PCB, according to EspnCricinfo, but instead, the PCB called him in for urgent talks.
Additional talks are scheduled with Shaheen Afridi, underscoring the PCB's desperate attempt to calm Afridi's ire and stop things from getting worse.
The team's tensions have only increased as a result of PCB's intervention, which could jeopardise the vital bond between Pakistan's two biggest players, Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam.