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Salman Butt responded to reports alleging that Shaheen Shah Afridi behaved inappropriately towards Pakistan Cricket Team captain Babar Azam and coaches during recent international engagements.
As per Geo News, it was claimed that Shaheen Afridi displayed disrespect towards white-ball coach Gary Kirsten and was also reportedly impolite to assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, in addition to his alleged misconduct towards Babar Azam.
Shaheen Afridi under scrutiny for disrespecting Pakistan support staff.
Reportedly occurring during Pakistan’s tours of Ireland, England, and the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the incidents involving Shaheen Afridi allegedly went without disciplinary action from the team management at the time.
However, following a recent heated argument with Mohammad Yousuf during the England tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now considering significant action against the star speedster, including the possibility of dropping him from the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
Salman Butt responded to the controversy by revealing that the recent PCB meeting in Lahore with former Pakistan players did not address Afridi’s alleged misconduct towards Babar Azam, Mahmood, and Yousuf during Pakistan’s recent tours.
Salman Butt criticizes Pakistan team management for belatedly complaining about Shaheen Afridi’s behavior.
Salman Butt condemned the Pakistan cricket team management’s handling of Afridi’s conduct towards the support staff, drawing parallels to past incidents such as Shoaib Akhtar’s expulsion from the 2007 World Cup squad under Malik’s management.
He questioned the current management’s delayed response, suggesting they should have addressed the issue promptly instead of bringing it up later. Butt criticized what he perceived as ineffective leadership, likening it to seeking revenge after the fact. He stressed the importance of proactive action by coaches, managers, and captains when such incidents occur.
Salman Butt said on ABN Urdu News Channel: “No, there was no such discussion there. I have also heard these reports on TV. And I think that if the coach, manager, and captain are so weak they are complaining later. They should have decided at that time. Earlier, Malik was the manager of Pakistan. There was a fight between Shoaib Akhtar and Asif. They sent Shoaib back to the 2007 World Cup. It was not a big fight.”
“This is strange management”: Salman Butt
Butt further said, “As a result of this argument, there was a small incident. So, they sent him back. Imagine that there is not even half a bowler like Shoaib Akhtar in Pakistan’s team. The management makes such a decision. This is strange management. They are coming and complaining. It is like a kid was slapped in the street, and he said, Wait, I will call my brother. Every person is there to complain. You make a decision. You are the manager, you are the coach, and you are the captain. You make a decision.”
The disclosure of Afridi’s reported misconduct towards the coaches came to light following Wahab Riaz’s public comments about his removal from the national selection committee. Riaz, along with Abdul Razzaq, was recently ousted from the PCB’s selection panel.
