Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lashed out at the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee for mishandling country’s cricket affairs amid the Men in Green’s below-par performance in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.
Afridi believes that Ashraf should focus on his job rather than giving pointless statements.
“Zaka Ashraf is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, not a club. I’m surprised why is he calling owners of media houses about people who are talking against him,” Afridi said on a local news channel.
“For God's sake, you are the chairman just deliver results and do your job. People are only talking about you because you are giving them this opportunity, Zaka Ashraf Sahab, stick to what you are supposed to do. The team is playing a World Cup and you are giving one statement after the other. Sometimes it is about Babar and sometimes it is about someone else,” he added.
Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan was left unimpressed with the lack of respect shown to Pakistan captain Babar Azam during the World Cup.
It must be noted that Azam has faced criticism from all corners during the mega event after Pakistan lost four matches in a row. However, Pakistan bounced back against Bangladesh with a win yesterday.
“Sometimes in T20 cricket the game sets itself up naturally. I’m not saying that the captain doesn’t do anything. I don’t think there is much management in T20 cricket as it does in ODI cricket. There is more to do as captain in 50-over and Test matches, managing players and scenarios. I think it is harder to captain a 50-over team,” Vaughan said while talking to Cricbuzz
“I just don’t like the lack of respect that Babar Azam is being shown. I think it is a disgrace. There are stories being leaked about Shaheen Afridi being the captain. Babar Azam is a wonderful and world class player. He has been fantastic for Pakistan and the world game.
“When you see these kinds of stories during a World Cup, leave it till the end. If at the end of the World Cup, you don’t think he is the right person as captain to take Pakistan forward, no problem, you are allowed to make that decision. During the tournament, when there is gossip coming from the board and people within Pakistan cricket. I find it really disrespectful.”
- Shahid Afridi