The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating strict disciplinary measures against star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi due to his inappropriate behaviour during the T20 World Cup 2024, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Thursday.
Sources indicate that Afridi may be excluded from the home Test series against Bangladesh, with the selection committee finalizing the decision to rest him and possibly other players to provide opportunities for domestic performers.
Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup has been attributed to internal team conflicts.
A report submitted to the PCB by white-ball coach Gary Kirsten and Azhar Mahmood detailed Afridi's misconduct, including his consistent misbehaviour and refusal to follow coaches' directives, which disrupted team harmony.
The report highlighted frequent clashes between Afridi and the coaching staff, leading to a lack of cohesion and discipline that severely impacted the team's performance. It also revealed lobbying and grouping among the players, further exacerbating internal discontent.
Senior team manager Wahab Riaz and manager Mansoor Rana were criticized for their inability to curb Afridi's disruptive behaviour. Despite witnessing these issues firsthand, they failed to intervene and restore order within the squad.
As a result, the PCB has already removed Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committees.
The decision to tighten the noose against two to three more players along with Afridi is under consideration, with domestic performers set to get a chance in the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.
Reporter: Waseem Ahmed