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Rumours - Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi involved in an argument in the dressing room

According to social media Fakhar, Shadab were criticised by Babar, Shaheen told Babar to also praise those that did well, he said let him finish first. Apparently Shadab told him it was not just his own performance up to the mark but some others including Babar himself.
Team selection is stuck between Nawaz vs Imad vs Abrar, Saud vs Agha, and who will be the pacer to replace Naseem.
 
Full credit to Rizwan, as per reports he was the one who passified the situation between Big Bobby and SSA when they were about to go at it.
 
no i dont think so, because at that time rizwan was only interested in fake appeals and was jumping around after collecting the ball as if the ball were made of metal.
This guy, Rizwan, is the shrewdest individual in the dressing room. He may appear very friendly and cute, but he doesn't originally come across that way. He's a skilled tactician when it comes to setting the field, but his appearance and childish behavior can undermine the team's morale
 
According to social media Fakhar, Shadab were criticised by Babar, Shaheen told Babar to also praise those that did well, he said let him finish first. Apparently Shadab told him it was not just his own performance up to the mark but some others including Babar himself.
Team selection is stuck between Nawaz vs Imad vs Abrar, Saud vs Agha, and who will be the pacer to replace Naseem.

According to a report, no such thing happened.

You can google that report.
 
Point is, a road trip is not business class.

Get it now?
No, still not an excuse unless you are driving non-stop from East Coast US to West Coast US and then playing a match on that same day, which clearly wasn't the case here.
 
No, still not an excuse unless you are driving non-stop from East Coast US to West Coast US and then playing a match on that same day, which clearly wasn't the case here.
It takes toll on human body no surprises there are so many injuries.
 
According to social media Fakhar, Shadab were criticised by Babar, Shaheen told Babar to also praise those that did well, he said let him finish first. Apparently Shadab told him it was not just his own performance up to the mark but some others including Babar himself.
Team selection is stuck between Nawaz vs Imad vs Abrar, Saud vs Agha, and who will be the pacer to replace Naseem.
So Abrar’s name is being thrown around? Interesting.
 
A little skirmish is being turned into a big fight by the media and the pakistan hating neighbors.

Find something else to do, people.
 
So basically no one is really contributing to this thread, might as well I do it.

The issues started back in Ramazan, when Pakistan had a 3 match series with Afghanistan. Shaheen was to be made captain by Najem Sethi. He phone Shaheen told him this and Shaheen accepted it. Later when this news came on media, fans went crazy. Babar and Rizwan were very unhappy with Shaheen that before accepting the captaincy he should had told them atleast. Thats when Shaheen decided against taking it and than also coming on media and saying he is not taking captaincy.

Also, recently Shahid Afridi just reported that when he was selector there were so many internal issues between players and the captain and the team management. So the tracks match.

Now than came the test series against Sri lanka. Nauman Ali was bowling from one end, but Shaheen asked babar he wanted to have a spell, but babar said he wanted to continue with Nauman as he was doing well. Now Shaheen was not happy with Babar that has not giving him his bowling spell

Now coming to Asia Cup, when they out of the tournament, Babar first started with his own self criticism. Than he said we have many superstars in the team whose focus is on their glamor (which is actually very true), but they dont perform in ground. This was the usual speech by Babar.

So now Babar than critisized his senior players (rightly so), that they get extended chances even after soo many failiures. Shaheen stood up from his place and said that kaptaan atleast show support to the guys that performed well today( this is something that LQ do in there dressing room where they do cringe clapping for every performer). Shaheen than took names of Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Zaman Khan and Iftikhar's. Babar than said he knows who is doing well and who is not doing well and who is not able to perform well. On this last point both babar and shaheen had exchange of words.

Grant brent and rizwan than intervened

Shaheen than also had exchange of words with the coaching staff aswell.

Babar was soo unhappy with this mess that he did only a 5 min press conference and did not go back to the dressing room and went straight to the team bus. Landed in Pakistan, went straight home without talking to anyone.

Another point to ponder is that whenever Pakistan lost, Babar would come on twitter to say stuff but this time he did not.

Source: Ijaz from Bol News
Stupid stuff from Shaheen and i guess the Afridi political gene is strong in him as well. He knows Babar’s days are numbered but hes showing impatience now. Shaheen is definitely a better captain than Babar, but his politicking is bang out of order. What Babar did was right and i feel bad for him.
 
As per a media report


1. PCB is "surprised and concerned" over the leak
2. Imam-ul-Haq is supposedly the player who leaked it to the media and is likely to face disciplinary action
 
As per a media report


1. PCB is "surprised and concerned" over the leak
2. Imam-ul-Haq is supposedly the player who leaked it to the media and is likely to face disciplinary action
What would Imam gain by leaking it? Isn't Babar his best mate since childhood? How does Imam get benefitted by a leak which absolutely tarnishes Babar's reputation? Unless he too is secretly angling for captaincy?
 
As per a media report


1. PCB is "surprised and concerned" over the leak
2. Imam-ul-Haq is supposedly the player who leaked it to the media and is likely to face disciplinary action
But aap to bol rhe the ki fake news h ye???
 
What would Imam gain by leaking it? Isn't Babar his best mate since childhood? How does Imam get benefitted by a leak which absolutely tarnishes Babar's reputation? Unless he too is secretly angling for captaincy?
Pakistan cricket is dog eat dog.

There is no such thing as best friend and all that rubbish.
 
I hope the arguments stories aren't true.

But if they are, this once again shows how quickly the environment in the Pakistan dressing room can change and how people change when opportunities present themselves.

Best of friends one minute, the best of enemies the next.
 
Pakistan cricket is dog eat dog.

There is no such thing as best friend and all that rubbish.
Imam said on a podcast that players are colleagues to each other but in the case of Babar, he and Babar have been friends from before they both started playing for Pakistan.
 
Apparently Imam ul Haq is in hot trouble for leaking the dressing room episode to the media. Zaka Ashraf is going to have a word with him tommorow.
 
Apparently Imam ul Haq is in hot trouble for leaking the dressing room episode to the media. Zaka Ashraf is going to have a word with him tommorow.
What will be the outcome of it?

Mickey had a stern word with him too. Nothing will change
 
Apparently Imam ul Haq is in hot trouble for leaking the dressing room episode to the media. Zaka Ashraf is going to have a word with him tommorow.
Is this why Imam was pulled out at the last minute against SL?
 
Why the hell do we have constant off field drama with the Pakistan team? Why are the players acting like middle age aunties instead of being professionals? We don't see the Indian team with all of this "he said, she said" or who gets along with who mumbo jumbo. They just come out and play. Why isn't the Pakistan team that way? So frustrating!!

Are they overcompensating for the general lack of talent with off field drama? Is the culture somehow helping off field drama? I really hope all of this BS stop soon and the players just do what they are paid to do ... act like professional players who just play.
 
Honestly, who knows what the truth is. I honestly think the media is blowing this out of proportion. Every outlet is incentivized to spew out sensationalist news so they can get the most views.
 
Honestly, who knows what the truth is. I honestly think the media is blowing this out of proportion. Every outlet is incentivized to spew out sensationalist news so they can get the most views.
If this is blown out of proportion, the PCB should send a legal notice to the one source that was reporting it. This one bloke who struggles to speak Urdu clearly but speaks Punjabi fluently
 
Nothing wrong with this, as usual people overanalysing, this type of edge is necessary in a high performance environment. It would be concering if they were happy and smiling after humiliating defeats, they should be angry at themselves and each other, this is elite sport not a ballet recital. You can clearly see that the players are together when they're actually on the field which is more important.

I prefer this off-field "drama" to the criminal kind that Pakistan cricket has been plagued with.
 
Reminds me of the Wasim Waqar squabbles which started in 1993 and hurt Pakistan Cricket very badly for a long time.
 
Bewaqoof bhalloo mode more like.

You guys are worrying too much.
PakistanI batters are going to love it on the true batting pitches of Bharat.

The pacers will have nice bounce and carry in first spells.

Pakistan has to sort out its finishing and spin bowling.

I can honestly see Fakhar Zaman and Babar having a record World Cup on behalf of Pakistan pelting like 500+ runs with a couple of hundreds.
My eyes are on Zaman actually. Knowing his pedigree, a double is absolutely on against one of the teams. Same for Gill. A double might be coming from him.
 
You know he really loves Babar when he posts about his captain,
and not about his Mehndi celebrations, which apparently was yesterday 😜
Soon, the Pakistani media will ask questions like: If Babar is family to Shaheen, why wasn't he at the Mehndi :ROFLMAO:
Poor missus Afridi

Should have got married after the World Cup
 
You know he really loves Babar when he posts about his captain,
and not about his Mehndi celebrations, which apparently was yesterday 😜
Soon, the Pakistani media will ask questions like: If Babar is family to Shaheen, why wasn't he at the Mehndi :ROFLMAO:
Actually babar nd rizwan are travelling to dubai for an event shoot.

Cricketers only attend walima and sometimes barat.

Mhendi is more of a female event and male just relax or have fun
 
A little disagreement between team mates after a loss to arch rivals is common.
Mainly on how things could have been differently done opinions on ground differ in the heat of the moment.
 
It was obvious that this was all nonsense / creative story writing by certain media people with their own agendas. Quite pathetic really.
 
Everything will be fine. Act like men and stop with this fazool gossip.
 
Why the hell do we have constant off field drama with the Pakistan team? Why are the players acting like middle age aunties instead of being professionals? We don't see the Indian team with all of this "he said, she said" or who gets along with who mumbo jumbo. They just come out and play. Why isn't the Pakistan team that way? So frustrating!!

Are they overcompensating for the general lack of talent with off field drama? Is the culture somehow helping off field drama? I really hope all of this BS stop soon and the players just do what they are paid to do ... act like professional players who just play.
We’ve had next to no drama for ages.

This is nothing compared to the teams we’ve had in the past.
 
Stupid stuff from Shaheen and i guess the Afridi political gene is strong in him as well. He knows Babar’s days are numbered but hes showing impatience now. Shaheen is definitely a better captain than Babar, but his politicking is bang out of order. What Babar did was right and i feel bad for him.
Shaheen won't be made captain anytime soon.
 
It was all too nicey nicey, cutting cake, complimenting each other, smiles.

Pakistan cricket is at it's best when there is a bit of fire in the belly and the players are hurting.

Hopefully the rumours and the defeats at the Asia Cup will be the wake up call that was needed.
 
Babar Azam seems to be having a great time with Shaheen Shah Afridi at his wedding.

babar-shaheen-laugh.jpeg
 
We’ve had next to no drama for ages.

This is nothing compared to the teams we’ve had in the past.
Quite true.

But as a wishful thinker, I'm not comparing Pakistan team drama of today with Pakistan team drama in the past. I'm comparing current timeline Pakistan team drama with current timeline India or other teams' drama.

As a fan I'm not paying with my time and money to see/hear who is buddy with who and who hates who in the Pakistan team. I mean, none of us are, right? Seems to me that there is historically always higher levels of drama in Pakistan teams than other teams.

Why can't they just do what they are paid to do - play cricket, instead of these unnecessary drama like middle age aunties? I'm reusing that word again because to me that is exactly how the behavior of Pakistan team drama seems.
 
Babar did nothing wrong. Unnecessarily appreciating the team when you have been brutally kicked out of a major tournament, would be stupidity of the highest order.

Shaheen was one of the reasons we got kicked out and he needs to be reigned in. His awful bowling performances were instrumental in India and Sri Lanka mauling us. First Shadab, now Shaheen, where do these non-performers get the guts to even utter one word? How do they not have any shame?

Shaheen should be ashamed and hurt by the fact that Pakistan fans think Naseem’s injury has pretty much sealed Pakistan’s fate in the World Cup.
Babar has no leg to stand either. His own performances have been beyond pathetic. Not once has Babar really impacted a big game. Last t20 wc now this Asia cup. Nothing to show for. Shaheen had 2 bad games but otherwise has been 1000x better performer than Babar.
 
Babar has no leg to stand either. His own performances have been beyond pathetic. Not once has Babar really impacted a big game. Last t20 wc now this Asia cup. Nothing to show for. Shaheen had 2 bad games but otherwise has been 1000x better performer than Babar.
Babar started his speech with self-reflection. You believe a captain cannot call a spade a spade and demand performances from his players?
 
Q: Can you comment on the dressing room environment?

Babar Azam: There is no ill will in the dressing room. There are discussions after every loss but they get twisted into something else entirely. The entire team is like a family and there is love and respect there.

-Babar speaking in a presser
 
Moin Khan speaking to media

“I saw this 100%. The players looked scattered, they were hesitant to even giving suggestions to Babar, whether it was Rizwan, Shadab, or Shaheen. It was visible that the team wasn't gelled up. There were no discussions, and even if there were suggestions and Babar was following them, they weren't working.”

“Another thing was, against India, players are scared. And those who are scared that their suggestions won't work... that's fear. As a cricketer, you must play on your potential and contribute 100%. It's okay if your suggestions go wrong, it happens. But your body language shows whether you want to win, and that wasn't visible. And I'm pretty sure there were some issues in the dressing room. And I know, in a professional environment, there are differences but you have to end them to perform better. You have to move on.”
 
Mickey Arthur was asked by a reporter earlier today about the team's bonding and the togetherness. This was his response:

"Look, they're a very close group because they've played together for so long. They know each other backwards. They're not only teammates, but they're generally friends as well. And I think that goes a long way to building that team spirit. I'll walk down the corridor of our hotel and at any given time there are groups of players sitting together talking, talking cricket, talking about life, having food together. That's something that is very, very nice to see. As I say, they are friends first and foremost and then team mates second, so it does help with the gelling of the team. They have been tight for a long period of time now. They have had an outing here in Hyderabad. They've really enjoyed going out for some dinner, they just enjoy each other's company. And that makes my heart very, very happy."
 
Mickey Arthur was asked by a reporter earlier today about the team's bonding and the togetherness. This was his response:

"Look, they're a very close group because they've played together for so long. They know each other backwards. They're not only teammates, but they're generally friends as well. And I think that goes a long way to building that team spirit. I'll walk down the corridor of our hotel and at any given time there are groups of players sitting together talking, talking cricket, talking about life, having food together. That's something that is very, very nice to see. As I say, they are friends first and foremost and then team mates second, so it does help with the gelling of the team. They have been tight for a long period of time now. They have had an outing here in Hyderabad. They've really enjoyed going out for some dinner, they just enjoy each other's company. And that makes my heart very, very happy."

Warm, fluffy and cozy Mickey.

So cooable.

Unfortunately, in sports you need to detach from emotions and deal in cord hard facts.

And the fact is what you said.

They are friends first.

Which is why friends XI is a biased team with quite an ordinary leader.

It would take something monumental from these set of friendly players to win the Cup out of nowhere.
 
Mickey Arthur was asked by a reporter earlier today about the team's bonding and the togetherness. This was his response:

"Look, they're a very close group because they've played together for so long. They know each other backwards. They're not only teammates, but they're generally friends as well. And I think that goes a long way to building that team spirit. I'll walk down the corridor of our hotel and at any given time there are groups of players sitting together talking, talking cricket, talking about life, having food together. That's something that is very, very nice to see. As I say, they are friends first and foremost and then team mates second, so it does help with the gelling of the team. They have been tight for a long period of time now. They have had an outing here in Hyderabad. They've really enjoyed going out for some dinner, they just enjoy each other's company. And that makes my heart very, very happy."

Very nice. But how about winning some cricket matches. This isn't nursery. I don't want friends. I want winners.
 
Wasim and Waqar were very close from 1989 to 1993. Then the revolt happened and things bw them and the dressing room never remained the same again.
 
Wasim and Waqar were very close from 1989 to 1993. Then the revolt happened and things bw them and the dressing room never remained the same again.
How is that relevant to anything?
 
Was obviously wishful thinking by some (immature) people. Work of fiction.
 
Reportedly, Shaheen Afridi is leading one of the two factions and has challenged Babar Azam's leadership. Perhaps, the reports suggest that Shaheen also has the support of opener Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. The speculations of rift have become so intense that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to issue an official statement with regards to the matter.
 
Reportedly, Shaheen Afridi is leading one of the two factions and has challenged Babar Azam's leadership. Perhaps, the reports suggest that Shaheen also has the support of opener Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. The speculations of rift have become so intense that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to issue an official statement with regards to the matter.
afridi learning from his father in law who was also always undermining his teammates.
 
Reportedly, Shaheen Afridi is leading one of the two factions and has challenged Babar Azam's leadership. Perhaps, the reports suggest that Shaheen also has the support of opener Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. The speculations of rift have become so intense that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to issue an official statement with regards to the matter.

Shaheen is not ready for captaincy yet. Captaining in a T20 franchise is very different from leading an international team. His T-20 captaincy exploits also need to be looked at with caution, Lahore Qalandars have an international level T-20 bowling line up. We have seen Shaheen get emotional and hyper when things don't go his way. A captain cannot be pally pally with his team mates, he needs to be able to pull up people as well when they are not doing well and even drop them fearlessly if in the best interests of the team.
 
Am seeing some videos from the Pakistan Afghanistan match in the WC on twitter where after the fall of Gurbaz wicket, when Babar came to celebrate with Shaheen, Shaheen pushed him away. In another video during the same match, Shaheen didn't bother to cover an overthrow of his own bowling which resulted in the batsman taking an extra run and Babar was furious with Shaheen.

I wonder if the conspiracy theorists are correct i.e. Shaheen did not co-operate with Babar during the WC and Afridi, Lahore Qalandars successfully lobbied with the PCB to appoint Shaheen as the T-20 captain?

People are forgetting that LQ's success in the PSL is more to do with their outstanding bowling attack i.e. Shaheen, Zaman Khan, Rauf, Rashid i.e 16 guaranteed tough overs out of 20 which will give International T-20 sides a big run for their money. I would like to see what Shaheen can do with Lahore Qalandars without having a Rashid Khan at his disposal.
 
Am seeing some videos from the Pakistan Afghanistan match in the WC on twitter where after the fall of Gurbaz wicket, when Babar came to celebrate with Shaheen, Shaheen pushed him away. In another video during the same match, Shaheen didn't bother to cover an overthrow of his own bowling which resulted in the batsman taking an extra run and Babar was furious with Shaheen.

I wonder if the conspiracy theorists are correct i.e. Shaheen did not co-operate with Babar during the WC and Afridi, Lahore Qalandars successfully lobbied with the PCB to appoint Shaheen as the T-20 captain?

People are forgetting that LQ's success in the PSL is more to do with their outstanding bowling attack i.e. Shaheen, Zaman Khan, Rauf, Rashid i.e 16 guaranteed tough overs out of 20 which will give International T-20 sides a big run for their money. I would like to see what Shaheen can do with Lahore Qalandars without having a Rashid Khan at his disposal.
The theorists behind it wanted the fans to believe this and that the team has been divided. Lets see how far below things fall in Pakistan Cricket apart from just on-field performances.
 
The theorists behind it wanted the fans to believe this and that the team has been divided. Lets see how far below things fall in Pakistan Cricket apart from just on-field performances.

The video evidence is pretty damning though. I wonder if someone can upload it here.
 
Am seeing some videos from the Pakistan Afghanistan match in the WC on twitter where after the fall of Gurbaz wicket, when Babar came to celebrate with Shaheen, Shaheen pushed him away. In another video during the same match, Shaheen didn't bother to cover an overthrow of his own bowling which resulted in the batsman taking an extra run and Babar was furious with Shaheen.

I wonder if the conspiracy theorists are correct i.e. Shaheen did not co-operate with Babar during the WC and Afridi, Lahore Qalandars successfully lobbied with the PCB to appoint Shaheen as the T-20 captain?

People are forgetting that LQ's success in the PSL is more to do with their outstanding bowling attack i.e. Shaheen, Zaman Khan, Rauf, Rashid i.e 16 guaranteed tough overs out of 20 which will give International T-20 sides a big run for their money. I would like to see what Shaheen can do with Lahore Qalandars without having a Rashid Khan at his disposal.

Shaheen has been made T20I Captain on the basis of leadership skills he showed in PSL.2 consecutive trophies, It was not a fluke.

But if he will bring on the majority of Lahore Qalanders players to the Pakistan team, it will be something alarming. Previously, Dhoni did it by bringing a lot of players from Chennai Super Kings to the Indian cricket team.
 
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Am seeing some videos from the Pakistan Afghanistan match in the WC on twitter where after the fall of Gurbaz wicket, when Babar came to celebrate with Shaheen, Shaheen pushed him away. In another video during the same match, Shaheen didn't bother to cover an overthrow of his own bowling which resulted in the batsman taking an extra run and Babar was furious with Shaheen.

I wonder if the conspiracy theorists are correct i.e. Shaheen did not co-operate with Babar during the WC and Afridi, Lahore Qalandars successfully lobbied with the PCB to appoint Shaheen as the T-20 captain?

People are forgetting that LQ's success in the PSL is more to do with their outstanding bowling attack i.e. Shaheen, Zaman Khan, Rauf, Rashid i.e 16 guaranteed tough overs out of 20 which will give International T-20 sides a big run for their money. I would like to see what Shaheen can do with Lahore Qalandars without having a Rashid Khan at his disposal.
In short, would you rather baber stayed as captain? Or who would you appoint as T20 captain?
 
Ramiz met Babar a day before the England match at Kolkata. Babar opened up to him like anyone would confess to a Padri

The next evening (once Pakistan were knocked out), Ramiz did a Vlog in which he openly attacked the new ball bowling of Pakistan, stating “what kind of captaincy do you expect from Babar if the new ball bowlers are not going to take any wickets”.

This should explain to you what was discussed between Babar and Ramiz the day before
 
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In short, would you rather baber stayed as captain? Or who would you appoint as T20 captain?

A new captain was definitely needed. But the PCB needs to come down hard on indiscipline, mutiny in the squad. We cannot go through the 90's episodes again.
 
How things change from the being the nexus of side 2 months ago Babar was captain Shadab vc and SSA making comeback to, Babar removed as captain , Shadab ousted from team and SSA being the leader let's see how they gel up together
 
Ramiz met Babar a day before the England match at Kolkata. Babar opened up to him like anyone would confess to a Padri

The next evening (once Pakistan were knocked out), Ramiz did a Vlog in which he openly attacked the new ball bowling of Pakistan, stating “what kind of captaincy do you expect from Babar if the new ball bowlers are not going to take any wickets”.

This should explain to you what was discussed between Babar and Ramiz the day before
The good old blame culture, still alive and kicking in Pakistan cricket.
 
The good old blame culture, still alive and kicking in Pakistan cricket.
Babar: “how am I supposed to execute my plans as captain if Shaheen isn’t getting any wickets for me with the new ball?”

Yeah I guess the opposition plan to just give wickets for fun to Shaheen so that Babar can then apply his expert tactics?
 
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