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Former Pakistan cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman has strongly criticized Shaheen Afridi for his behavior towards coach Mohammad Yousuf during the T20 World Cup 2024. Atiq-uz-Zaman emphasized that Afridi must show respect towards Yousuf and adhere to his instructions without objection.
Shaheen Afridi has come under fire for his disrespectful conduct during the T20 World Cup 2024, where Pakistan failed to progress beyond the group stage. Reports suggest Afridi skipped team meetings before crucial matches and had a confrontation with coach Mohammad Yousuf during training sessions, as per Geo News.
According to the report, Yousuf advised Afridi to focus on avoiding no-balls during practice. Allegedly, Afridi responded disrespectfully, stating, “Let me practice for now and don’t talk in the middle.” Subsequently, coaches and team officials reportedly submitted a detailed account to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
“Shaheen misbehaved with the coaches and management during recent tours but no action was taken by the team managers on the pacer’s inappropriate behaviour,” a source was quoted as telling Geo News.
Shaheen Afridi could face disciplinary action. If the PCB takes the allegations against him seriously, Afridi might be excluded from the side for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh on home soil. The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played in Rawalpindi, starting on August 21.
Mohammad Yousuf Is Part Of The Pakistan Team – Atiq-uz-Zaman
Atiq-uz-Zaman underscored the significance of tackling the no-ball problem during practice sessions. He stressed that Mohammad Yousuf, being integral to the team setup, holds the authority to provide guidance to bowlers concerning this issue.
“Yousuf is part of the team. If they’re given responsibility for the nets, they can advise bowlers. The no-ball issue is significant. If you bowl no-balls in the nets, it becomes a habit. I’ve seen that players who bowl no-balls in practice do so in matches as well,” Atiq-uz-Zaman said.
Shaheen Afridi Shouldn’t Have Made The Comments He Did – Atiq-uz-Zaman
Atiq-uz-Zaman voiced his disappointment regarding the reported remarks attributed to Shaheen Afridi directed at Mohammad Yousuf. He emphasized the importance of Afridi showing respect towards Yousuf and adhering to his instructions, particularly concerning the avoidance of bowling no-balls during practice sessions.
“So, if Mohammad Yousuf bhai said that, Shaheen Afridi shouldn’t have made the comments he did. I’m not sure if he made them or not, as these are just rumors. If he did, I’m really disappointed because Yousuf Bhai is a bigger name than Shaheen Afridi. So he got to understand that there is something called respect. If the coach instructs you, you should just put your head down and try not to bowl no-ball in the nets. The problem’s sorted,” Atiq-uz-Zaman added.
Afridi has encountered a tumultuous year, beginning with the loss of the T20I captaincy after a single series in charge. He alleged that the PCB published fabricated quotes attributed to him on their official website following Babar Azam’s reinstatement as captain. Speculation about tensions between Afridi and Azam emerged ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
