(Source X)
Shahid Afridi, the former captain of Pakistan, has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for shifting blame onto the players following their poor performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 held last month.
Pakistan’s campaign was a letdown as they were unable to progress past the group stage despite being one of the favored teams before the tournament began. The Babar Azam-led squad suffered a humiliating defeat against the USA, a team considered underdogs, and then lost to their arch-rivals India.
Although Pakistan managed to secure victories in their final two group matches, the earlier losses had already sealed their fate. The 2009 T20 World Cup champions were left with no choice but to exit the tournament, while India and the USA advanced to the Super 8s.
In response to this disappointing performance, the PCB has made several significant changes. Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq have been removed from their roles as selectors. Additionally, media reports suggest that the PCB is preparing to take disciplinary action against Shaheen Afridi for alleged misconduct during the tour of England preceding the T20 World Cup.
Shahid Afridi takes a jab at the PCB.
As the players come under scrutiny once more from the PCB, Shahid Afridi has stepped up to defend them, criticizing the board for their actions.
In a recent media appearance, the cricketing legend expressed frustration with the PCB’s tendency to place full blame on players following a disappointing performance in major tournaments. Afridi pointed out that the PCB often overreacts to minor issues, a sentiment he implied was evident in the controversy involving Shaheen Afridi. He urged the board to handle such matters with more discretion and less drama.
“It is not right to pit players against each other to save oneself. I played cricket for Pakistan for 20-22 years,” said Shahid Afridi.
“I have always observed that whenever we lose a big event, the cricket board makes the players stand in front. I have always said that the cricket board’s role is like that of a father. The cricket board should not make the players stand in front to save itself. These are small matters, and whatever the issue is, it can be handled calmly,” he added.
Last year, the PCB made significant decisions following Pakistan’s failure to reach the semifinals of the ODI World Cup. Shortly after the tournament concluded, Babar Azam resigned from his captaincy roles across all formats, and the entire coaching staff was dismissed.
Subsequently, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood were appointed as the captains for T20I and Test formats, respectively. However, after just one series, Shaheen was stripped of the T20I captaincy, and Babar was reinstated as the leader of the T20I team.
