IND vs PAK: “Captain spoils atmosphere…”- Shahid Afridi attacks Babar Azam; promises to expose Pakistan after T20 WC

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi took a subtle dig at the current captain of team Babar Azam ahead of the clash against India in the T20 World Cup 2024. He while talking about the unity of the team said that either the captain makes the team or spoils the atmosphere of the team.

Pakistan cricket team have had a tough start to the T20 World Cup 2024 under Babar Azam. Things haven’t gone their way as they were at the receiving end of a disappointing loss against the United States of America in their opening encounter, which took place on 6th June in Texas.

It was the biggest upset in the history of the game as the United States of America emerged winners in the super over of the match. They weren’t up to the mark with the bat as well as the ball as the Associate Nation capitalized on it and went on to register their biggest victory.

After the loss, some reports suggested that things weren’t good in the Pakistan dressing room. It was learned that a few of the players were unhappy with the way Babar Azam led the team and didn’t listen to suggestions from any of the players.

The reports also added that the dictator mindset of Babar Azam has become a point of serious concern for other players of the Pakistan Cricket Team. And hence the atmosphere inside the dressing room isn’t great at all.

Shahid Afridi was asked about the rumors of no unity in the team and claimed that there are a lot of things going around but he cannot say it openly. He, however, stated that it’s the responsibility of the captain to make things good inside the dressing room. Speaking to Samaa TV, he explained:

“There are a lot of things going on. Mohammad Waseem played a very important role in the selection committee. He knows a lot of things. I know a lot of things. Sohail also knows a lot of things. A lot of things cannot be said openly. But what I mean to say is that these are the responsibilities of all these things. I have also been a captain. Sohail has also been in my team.

“Mohammad Waseem is also a captain with all the old cricketers. He is the captain. He is the main leader who takes everyone with him. Either the captain spoils the atmosphere of the team. Or the captain makes the team. This is my very strong belief. These coaches come later. But the real thing is the captain. The captain has the main authority. The real support for the captain is good coach management.”

We have spoiled this unit, our board has spoiled this unit - Shahid Afridi on Pakistan

Shahid Afridi further claimed that he doesn’t want to reel into things much but if anyone is wrong he doesn’t shy away from calling it wrong even if it is his son-in-law Shaheen Afridi. He claimed that he would open up about things after the World Cup and added that PCB has spoiled the team. He added:

“The captain is the one who fights for the team. The captain makes a unit. I don't want to go into what has happened. Because I have a relationship with Shaheen. If I say something, people will say that he is favoring his son-in-law. I am not like that. If someone is wrong for me, then he is wrong.

“Whether it's my son-in-law, my son or my daughter. I don't have a problem saying it. But our elders have made big mistakes in the last few days. When this World Cup is over, I will talk openly. But we have spoiled this unit. Our board has spoiled this unit.”

کپتان ٹیم کا ماحول خراب کردیتا ہے یا ٹیم کو بنادیتا ہے، شاہد آفریدی کا اتحاد کے سوال پر تجزیہ#<!---->S<!---->a<!---->m<!---->a<!---->a<!---->T<!---->V #<!---->Z<!---->o<!---->r<!---->K<!---->a<!---->J<!---->o<!---->r #<!---->T<!---->2<!---->0<!---->W<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->C<!---->u<!---->p #<!---->I<!---->C<!---->C #<!---->S<!---->h<!---->a<!---->h<!---->i<!---->d<!---->A<!---->f<!---->r<!---->i<!---->d<!---->i #<!---->S<!---->o<!---->h<!---->a<!---->i<!---->l<!---->T<!---->a<!---->n<!---->v<!---->i<!---->r #<!---->M<!---->u<!---->h<!---->a<!---->m<!---->m<!---->a<!---->d<!---->W<!---->a<!---->s<!---->i<!---->m@<!---->S<!---->A<!---->f<!---->r<!---->i<!---->d<!---->i<!---->O<!---->f<!---->f<!---->i<!---->c<!---->i<!---->a<!---->l @<!---->s<!---->a<!---->w<!---->e<!---->r<!---->a<!---->p<!---->a<!---->s<!---->h<!---->a @<!---->s<!---->o<!---->h<!---->a<!---->i<!---->l<!---->m<!---->a<!---->l<!---->i<!---->k<!---->6<!---->1<!---->4 @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->i<!---->m<!---->r<!---->a<!---->n<!---->o<!---->f<!---->f<!---->i<!---->c<!---->i<!---->a<!---->l @<!---->S<!---->h<!---->i<!---->r<!---->e<!---->e<!---->n<!---->Z<!---->u<!---->l<!---->f<!---->i<!---->q<!---->a<!---->r @<!---->M<!---->u<!---->h<!---->a<!---->m<!---->m<!---->a<!---->d<!---->W<!---->a<!---->s<!---->i<!---->m<!---->7<!---->7 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->E<!---->Y<!---->u<!---->W<!---->9<!---->8<!---->y<!---->p<!---->u<!---->e

— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

India and Pakistan will be taking on each other on 9th June at the Nassau International Cricket Stadium in New York.