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[Saba Sports News] During the Asia Cup 2023, a rumored heated discussion surfaced involving ex-Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and prominent bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi after a close loss to Sri Lanka. The post-match meeting saw heightened tensions, with Babar reportedly critiquing senior players and Shaheen emphasizing recognition for good performances.
“We don’t need to justify ourselves to anyone else. We know that when we are in a meeting, we speak for the team. Pakistan is in front of us. We both know we have to perform and raise Pakistan’s name. So, what we have to give for our country, we will give it ourselves, we won’t let anyone else come in for that. Why do we play cricket? We play for Pakistan. So, just like things come into consideration within the family, the Pakistan team is also our family. We are the ones who have to set things right for it,” Shaheen shared.
Mohammad Rizwan played a role in easing the reported friction between the two during the tournament. In a podcast before a PSL 9 game, Shaheen opened up about the team’s harmony and dedication to Pakistan, while Babar had earlier highlighted the importance of mutual respect regardless of the game’s result.
“Respect is given to everyone. You see, whenever the match is close and we lose, it’s just a regular meeting, but sometimes it’s portrayed as if we had a fight. It shouldn’t be like that. Respect should remain constant for everyone. We love each other as much as we do our family,” Babar said.
Shaheen articulated the team’s internal solidarity, emphasizing their collective responsibility to uplift Pakistan’s cricket stature. He underscored the intrinsic motivation to excel for their country, likening the team to a family where issues are resolved internally. Babar echoed these sentiments, downplaying the alleged altercation and stressing the enduring respect among team members, likening their bond to familial ties.
Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) showed unease with Babar and Afridi’s active fan engagement on the social media platform ‘X’, particularly Babar’s Q&A sessions that drew significant attention. The PCB’s concern underlined the balancing act between players’ online presence and their professional duties, reflecting the board’s careful stance on social media use amidst ongoing cricketing commitments.