In a recent turn of events, the world of Pakistan cricket found itself embroiled in controversy over the weekend. Rumors began circulating regarding a reported dressing room altercation involving captain Babar Azam, which unfolded in the aftermath of Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the 2023 Asia Cup. Pakistan’s performance in the tournament had come under intense scrutiny, especially after their elimination in the Super 4 stage.
The team faced substantial criticism following their exit, despite a promising start in the second round with a victory over Bangladesh. The turning point came with a resounding 228-run loss to arch-rivals India in Colombo, which dented Pakistan’s campaign. In a rain-affected must-win match against Sri Lanka, Babar Azam’s side displayed resilience in a comeback attempt, notably with Shaheen Afridi and Zaman Khan delivering impressive final overs. However, Charith Asalanka’s composure guided Sri Lanka to victory on the last ball of the run-chase.
According to media reports, it was during this turbulent period that Babar Azam allegedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the performances of certain senior players within the team. In response, Shaheen Shah Afridi reportedly urged Babar to acknowledge the contributions of those players who had performed commendably. This exchange is said to have prompted Mohammad Rizwan to step in and mediate the situation, aiming to find a resolution.
However, a senior member of the Pakistan cricket team has now come forward to dispute these rumors. According to Cricket Pakistan, a leading cricket website, the senior player categorically denied any verbal altercation and emphasized that the players had merely shared their thoughts during a team meeting.
“The team’s sole focus is on cricket, and we are not concerned about the critics. Losing a match gives our critics an opportunity to voice their opinions, but these are merely negative speculations,” the senior player stated, as quoted by the website.
In addition to the dressing room controversy, concerns have also arisen about the fitness of key players. Reports emerged on Saturday suggesting that Naseem Shah’s participation in the upcoming 2023 World Cup might be in jeopardy due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Super 4 match. This injury concern compounds Pakistan’s challenges, particularly with Haris Rauf already facing scrutiny due to an existing injury issue.
These accumulating challenges are placing additional pressure on Babar Azam’s team as they prepare for the prestigious global tournament in India. Pakistan’s World Cup campaign is scheduled to kick off on October 6 with a match against the Netherlands.