Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has made a bold statement, promising to reveal the inside story of the current national team and identify those who have “spoiled the unit” once the ongoing T20 World Cup2024 concludes. Afridi’s comments come amid a turbulent period for Pakistan cricket, with their selection process and team unity under scrutiny from several former cricketers and officials.
Afridi’s Bold Claims
During a recent interview on a local TV channel, Afridi, alongside young pacer Mohammad Wasim, hinted at the issues plaguing the Pakistan cricket team. He chose to withhold specific details until the end of the T20 World Cup2024, stating that both he and Wasim were aware of the problematic elements within the team.
Inside Knowledge
“He knows many things, and so do I, but we cannot talk openly. I will speak openly after the World Cup, our people themselves have spoiled this unit,” Afridi said, as reported by Geo News.
Afridi’s decision to remain silent for now suggests the gravity of the information he holds and its potential impact on Pakistan cricket.
Shaheen Afridi’s Position
Afridi also addressed the situation of his son-in-law, Shaheen Afridi, who has experienced significant fluctuations in his role within the team over the past year.
Leadership Changes
Shaheen, who is just 24 years old, was named captain of the T20I team after the ODI World Cup in November last year, taking over from Babar Azam. However, his captaincy was short-lived. In April this year, Shaheen was removed from the T20I captaincy after leading the team in just one series against New Zealand.
Afridi’s Support
Addressing concerns about favoritism, Afridi said, “If I talk about something, people will say that I am supporting my son-in-law, although I am not. If my daughter, son or son-in-law are wrong, I will also call them wrong.”
Pakistan’s World Cup Campaign
Furthermore,Afridi’s remarks follow Pakistan’s disappointing start to the T20 World Cup2024. Their campaign began with a heart-wrenching 5-run defeat in a Super Over against co-hosts USA, followed by a loss to arch-rivals India in New York, jeopardizing their chances of advancing.
Upcoming Matches
Pakistan’s next match is a crucial encounter against Canada on Tuesday in New York. The team needs a strong performance to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
Criticism from Former Players
Afridi is not alone in his criticism of the current state of Pakistan cricket. Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, Kamran Akmal, and other ex-cricketers have also questioned the selection process and team management.
Calls for Transparency
These voices have called for greater transparency and accountability in team selections and management decisions. Afridi’s promise to reveal the full story after the World Cup suggests that significant revelations may be on the horizon.
Shahid Afridi’s promise to expose the internal issues of the Pakistan cricket team has added another layer of intrigue to their already tumultuous T20 World Cup campaign. As fans and analysts wait for Afridi’s revelations, the focus remains on the team’s performance in the tournament. The upcoming match against Canada will be a crucial test for the Men in Green as they seek to salvage their World Cup hopes.
