Rumours of a falling out between captain Babar Azam and star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi surfaced during Pakistan’s underwhelming performance at the 2017 ICC T20 World Cup. The two cricket players are close friends, according to team assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, who categorically refuted these allegations.
Legendary pacer Wasim Akram criticised the Men in Green’s poor performance during their June 9 loss to India in New York, sparking rumours. Akram even suggested that Shaheen and Babar were not on good terms.
Some players like to keep their distance from one another. You represent your country in this international cricket match. As reported by India Today, Akram stated, “Make these players sit at home.”
Every player is present; none are being hidden: Azhar Mahmood
Akram’s allegation was swiftly refuted by Mahmood, who stated that the players get along well and are on good terms both on and off the pitch.
“I’m not sure, but Wasim must have said that. It escaped my notice. Speaking, Shaheen and Babar are close friends. Mahmood stated, “They are both a member of the Pakistan team.
Instead of blaming specific players for Pakistan’s subpar performance, the assistant coach also underlined that the team management bears some of the blame.
Also read: Shahid Afridi feels Pakistan lost a great chance to defeat India
When it comes to assigning blame, I believe that as a team, we will all take accountability. We lost due of our own error as well, he said, not because of anyone else.
He went on to say that, in contrast to Akram’s claims, no players were being left out or overlooked. He also underlined how the team is accepting responsibility for their subpar performance in the competition thus far.
“Every player is present; none are being hidden. Everything is in its place. We are a team, as I mentioned before. It is our duty, and that is why we are seated here. We’re failing to deliver. I’m sitting here for that reason. Gary was seated here the day before. It’s not like we’re concealing a player, that much. We are a part of them, Mahmood remarked.
Pakistan’s World Cup aspirations are dependent on their performance against Canada on June 11, thus the team must set aside all other distractions and concentrate on winning.
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