When Shaheen Afridi And Babar Azam Were Involved In 'Ugly' Verbal Spat

image-lrbq5aw8Babar Azam was reportedly involved in a heated altercation with Shaheen Shah Afridi during Asia Cup 2023.(x.com)


In the past year, during the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan's cricket team faced not only a heartbreaking last-ball defeat against Sri Lanka but also witnessed a heated verbal altercation between their captain, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The incident occurred after Pakistan's exit from the tournament following a 2-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in a rain-marred Super Four clash on 14 September 2023.

Pakistan, batting first in the must-win game, posted a challenging total of 252/7, with Mohammad Rizwan contributing an unbeaten 86 and opener Abdullah Shafique scoring 52 off 69 balls. Despite a resilient effort, Sri Lanka managed to clinch a last-ball thriller, securing a spot in the final against India. The defeat shattered Pakistan's hopes of reaching the final and lifting the Asia Cup 2023 title.

Following the disappointing loss, Babar Azam faced criticism for his captaincy. Reports suggest that he expressed his frustration in the dressing room, criticizing his players for not playing responsibly. This led to a heated verbal exchange between Babar and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen, who had been one of Pakistan's standout performers in the tournament, confronted Babar, urging him to appreciate players who performed well in both batting and bowling.

The captain's response to Shaheen's plea was reportedly dismissive, stating, 

"I know who is performing well." 

The tense situation escalated, requiring Mohammad Rizwan to intervene and calm the tempers flaring between the captain and the pace spearhead. Despite the attempt to diffuse the situation, the rift persisted, leading to a strained atmosphere in the dressing room.

Babar Azam, visibly upset after the altercation, left for the post-match press conference. Reports indicate that he maintained his frustration during the presser and headed straight to the team bus afterward, without interacting with anyone upon reaching the team hotel in Colombo.