Pakistan will clash with India in their second T20 WC match on Sunday.
A defeat to an associate nation surprised Pakistan's cricket establishment, leaving the game's veterans angry. Former captains have been vocal about their dissatisfaction on public platforms, and Shahid Afridi is the latest to join the chorus.
Speaking with Pakistan media, Afridi was questioned about the lack of unity in the current team which is in the US for the World Cup. In reply, he blasted Babar for failing to develop a healthy atmosphere in the dressing room.
“‘Mohammad Wasim has done a great job as a selector and knows quite a few things. Even I’m aware of certain things that aren’t spoken about openly. But what’s important is the intent of the captain. He’s the guy who keeps the team united. Whether he wants to deteriorate the team atmosphere or make an excellent unit. The coaches and support staff come later but the skipper has the main authority,” Afridi said.
“I don’t want to dig deep because if I speak about Shaheen, Log Kahenge Apne Daamad ko favor kar raha hai (people will say I’m taking my son-in-law’s side). But if anything is wrong, it doesn’t if my relatives or close ones are involved, it is wrong and I don’t have to point it out. But honestly, our seniors, our selector, and the board have committed big mistakes in the past,” he added.
Afridi's dig was aimed at the change in leadership before the World Cup when the PCB opted to re-appoint Babar as captain and remove Shaheen Shah Afridi from the position.
Afridi also said that he’ll speak more openly after the T20 World Cup ends.
“Once the World Cup concludes, I shall speak more openly but I would like to say, is unit ko humare board ne, selection committee ne, humne khud ne kharab kiya hai,” he concluded.