The aftermath of Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 continues to unfold with new revelations about star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi allegedly lobbying during the mega event. Sources indicate that Afridi has also been accused of misbehaving with coaches and management staff during the tournament, sparking an internal probe.
Misbehavior Unchecked
It has come to light that despite Shaheen’s reported attitude issues, team managers, responsible for maintaining discipline, failed to take any action. This revelation adds another layer to the ongoing turbulence within Pakistan cricket following their disappointing World Cup performance.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently sacked Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee, a move seen as part of the board’s effort to overhaul the team management.
Razzaq was involved with both the men’s and women’s selection committees, while Wahab had been a prominent figure in the men’s selection panel despite being removed as its chief earlier this year.
Allegations Against Shaheen Afridi
Reports suggest that Shaheen Afridi’s behavior towards coaches and support staff as well as captain Babar Azam during previous tours had been problematic. Pakistan team coach Gary Kirsten has accused Afridi of misconduct, further complicating the team’s dynamics.
Despite these allegations, Afridi faced no immediate consequences during the tournament, leading to questions about the management’s handling of the situation.
The PCB is now investigating why no action was taken against Afridi at the time of his misconduct. With Wahab Riaz and team manager Mansoor Rana now removed from their positions, it appears that the board is addressing the lack of discipline and favoritism within the team.
Sources claim that Wahab and Razzaq had shown undue favoritism to certain players, contributing to internal conflicts and the team’s poor performance. Meanwhile, Shaheen is also accused of making a group against Babar Azam.
The Big Questions
The ongoing situation raises critical questions. If Shaheen Afridi was indeed lobbying and misbehaving, why wasn’t he dropped from any matches during the tournament? Why was no immediate action taken? Is Shaheen being used as a scapegoat? These are questions only time will answer.
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