All hell broke loose immediately after Sri Lanka ousted Pakistan Cricket Team from Asia Cup. The World No 1 ODI side was not a match for the Lankan lions. And with another disappointment in multi-national tournament, rumours of rift started hitting the roof. Captain Babar Azam supposedly had a dressing room fight or argument following the loss. And now, Babar Azam has opened up on the rift ahead of World Cup departure.
“Everyone gives me respect. And see when you lose close matches then certain disagreements do take place in team meetings but this was taken out of context that there was a duel between us,” Babar Azam said at the pre-departure press conference ahead of World Cup on Wednesday.
“There’s nothing like this. We have the same respect for each other and will remain the same. We love each other like a family.”
Pakistan Cricket rift: Heart of the matter
As per Bol News, Pakistan, captain Babar Azam minced no words. He pulled up non-performers and told them they became too big a star and that performance did not matter.
“If you continue this way, you will be forgotten soon. World Cup is your last chance,” Babar Azam allegedly told the players.
But Babar’s dressing room rundown did not go down well with Shaheen Afridi. He told the captain, “At least appreciate those who bowled and batted well.”
However, Babar did not like the interruption. He told Shaheen Afridi, “I know who is performing well and who is not.”
As the situation escalated, Pakistan cricket team’s support staff and Mohammad Rizwan had to come in and stop the argument.
As the Pakistan Cricket Team returned to team hotel, Babar Azam looked distraught.
Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Pakistan Schedule for World Cup
| Date | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | Friday | Pakistan | Netherlands | Hyderabad | Pak won by 81 runs |
| Oct 10 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad | Pak won by 6 wickets |
| Oct 14 | Saturday | India | Pakistan | Ahmedabad | India won by 7 wickets |
| Oct 20 | Friday | Australia | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Aus won by 62 runs |
| Oct 23 | Monday | Pakistan | Afghanistan | Chennai | Pak lost by 8 wickets |
| Oct 27 | Friday | Pakistan | South Africa | Chennai | Pak lost by 1-wicket |
| Oct 31 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Kolkata | Pak won by 7-wickets |
| Nov 4 | Saturday | New Zealand | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Pakistan won by 21 runs via DLS |
| Nov 11 | Saturday | England | Pakistan | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
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