"Not right to pit players against each other" - Shahid Afridi accuses PCB of causing fights among Pakistan players

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has slammed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for scapegoating players after the team's dismal performance at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 last month.

Pakistan had a disastrous outing in the tournament as they failed to advance ahead of the group stage despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites. The Babar Azam-led side began its campaign with a humiliating loss against minnows USA before losing the game against arch-rivals India as well.

They did manage to win their last two group games but the damage was already done. The 2009 T20 World Cup winners had no option but to exit the competition at the group stage as eventual winners India and USA qualified for the Super 8s.

In the wake of the dismal performance, the PCB once again decided to take some big calls. It started by sacking Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq as selectors. As per media reports, the PCB was also set to launch a disciplinary action against Shaheen Afridi for misbehaving during the tour of England just before the T20 World Cup.

Shahid Afridi takes a shot at PCB:

With the players facing the heat again from the PCB, Shahid Afridi has leaped in their defense and has slammed the board for the same.

In a recent media interaction, the Pakistan great said that the PCB has a habit of pinning the blame entirely on the players after a poor campaign in any big tournament. He also said that the PCB should deal with any small issue without creating too much drama, seemingly referring to the controversy surrounding Shaheen Afridi.

"It is not right to pit players against each other to save oneself. I played cricket for Pakistan for 20-22 years," said Shahid Afridi.

"I have always observed that whenever we lose a big event, the cricket board makes the players stand in front. I have always said that the cricket board's role is like that of a father. The cricket board should not make the players stand in front to save itself. These are small matters, and whatever the issue is, it can be handled calmly," he added.

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The PCB had taken some big calls last year as well after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinal of the ODI World Cup. Soon after the tournament ended, Babar Azam stepped down as the captain in all three formats while the entire coaching staff was sacked.

Later, Shaheen and Shan Masood replaced Babar as the T20I and Test captain respectively. However, Shaheen was removed as the T20I captain after just one series with Babar taking charge of the team again.