(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Pakistan cricket has been rocked with another controversy as a journalist has claimed that Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam were not seen in talking terms during the first T20I of the ongoing series against New Zealand.
For the unversed, Shaheen was appointed as Pakistan’s T20I skipper after Babar relinquished the captaincy from all formats post the side’s debacle in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Leading Pakistan for the first time as full-time captain, Shaheen look out of a place as he conceded 46 runs and took three wickets in his four-over spell. New Zealand posted a total of 226 runs on the scoreboard.
Pakistan were on track to chase the target but kept on losing wickets in the end overs and lost by 46 runs.
In the wake of the defeat, Pakistan journalist Ejaz Bakhri came out with sensational claims, alleging that there is an ego tussle going on between Babar and Shaheen.
As per Bakhri, the Pakistan team did not look united on the field and even called out PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf for his poor handling of the situation.
“Pakistan players are not united. Shaheen Afridi looked lost as a captain and didn’t consult with anyone when the bowlers were getting hammered by Kiwi batters. Shaheen placed former captain Babar Azam at deep mid-on and the two didn’t talk to each other during the game. Babar was Pakistan’s skipper and the team performed well under his leadership. There was no coordination between Babar and Shaheen. Afridi looked tense and alone,” Bakhri said as quoted.
“I don’t know what Zaka Ashraf has done to this team. He has changed the captain, coaches and players but the team is still not winning,” he added.
The second T20I of the five-match series will played on January 14 in Hamilton.