Shaheen Afridi reportedly FURIOUS with PCB as the board releases statement with ‘fake’ quote about backing Babar Azam

Shaheen Afridi held the role of Pakistan's white-ball captain for only four months.

Shaheen Afridi reportedly FURIOUS with PCB as the board releases statement with ‘fake’ quote about backing Babar Azam

Shaheen Afridi (Image via Imago)

Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board removed Shaheen Afridi to reappoint Babar Azam as their new white-ball captain. The pacer had led the Pakistan team for only five T20Is, winning only one, before getting sacked. 

The PCB announced the decision to appoint Azam as their captain in a statement. In the statement they uploaded a quote by Shaheen Afridi, in which the pacer claimed he was ready to back Babar Azam and was happy to have captained Pakistan. 

YouTube video
It was an absolute honour 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 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.
Shaheen Afridi’s quote read

Now a report by ESPNcricinfo claims that the quote is fake, and the pacer was unhappy with the PCB. Afridi was angry as he was not informed by the board of his sacking. Along with that, he was ready to release a statement of his own, before the PCB intervened. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Afridi held a crisis meeting regarding this situation. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s father-in-law unhappy with sacking 

Shahid Afridi, the father-in-law of Shaheen Afridi and former Pakistan captain, expressed his displeasure with the PCB’s decision. The Pakistan legend believed that if change was necessary, they should have appointed Mohammad Rizwan instead of Babar Azam. 

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi (Image via ESPN)
I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice! .
Shahid Afridi wrote on X

Rizwan has led Multan Sultans to four consecutive PSL finals since 2021, winning it on his first try. On his recent appearance in the competition, he lost to Islamabad United thanks to a match winning performance by Imad Wasim. 

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