[Watch] Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi Fans Engaged In A Verbal War; Video Goes Viral
Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in a frame (x.com)
Cricket enjoys widespread popularity not only in India but also around the globe, with fans often passionately supporting their favourite players. However, sometimes this fervent support can lead to conflicts, as was witnessed in a city in Pakistan where two fans engaged in a verbal altercation over who is the better player between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Since the Asia Cup in 2023, the Pakistan cricket team has experienced a noticeable decline in performance, disappointing fans across formats. Despite high expectations for the World Cup 2023 in India, the team managed to win only three out of eight matches, resulting in an early exit during the group stages -- a significant letdown for the nation known for its cricket fever.
Internal issues within the team exacerbated their struggles, with reports of discord circulating, particularly involving then-captain Babar. Allegations of rifts between Babar and star bowler Shaheen further disrupted team harmony. Shaheen's form also suffered during this period, failing to deliver performances consistent with his past standards.
There may not be any actual differences between the two star Pakistan cricketers, but fans of both individuals often find themselves embroiled in fan wars.
Following the disappointing World Cup campaign, Babar stepped down from the all-format captaincy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then appointed Shaheen as the new T20I captain, while Shan Masood assumed the role of Test captain. However, these leadership changes did not alter the team's fortunes, as they suffered series defeats in Australia and New Zealand.
In his first stint as T20I captain, Shaheen struggled to lead effectively, while Babar excelled on the field, scoring three consecutive fifties in the series.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
