Former captains step in to resolve disputes among top Pakistan cricketers: report

Two former captains have taken the initiative to mediate and resolve differences between Pakistan's top cricketers—Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.

According to media reports, sources indicate that the ex-captains have reached out to the three players, offering to help address and mediate their grievances. A meeting is expected to be arranged at the house of one of the former captains upon Shaheen Afridi's return to the country.

Recently, Shaheen Afridi made headlines due to an altercation with Mohammad Yousuf during Pakistan’s tour to England just before the T20 World Cup 2024. Reports from Lahore suggested that coaches and management had complained to the chairman of the PCB about Shaheen’s attitude during the tour. It later emerged that Afridi had exchanged heated words with Yousuf but subsequently apologised.

Multiple sources within the Pakistan cricket team management confirmed that the incident was a "heat-of-the-moment" issue, resolved immediately.

Sources revealed that while Afridi was bowling in the nets at Headingley, Mohammad Yousuf, the batting coach, pointed out his no-balls. Afridi became furious and told Yousuf to mind his own business, to which Yousuf responded that he was just doing his job as a coach.

The argument escalated, but senior manager Wahab Riaz later reprimanded Afridi, who accepted his mistake and apologised to Yousuf. 

“This was nothing more than a routine case of heat-of-the-moment, so the chapter was closed there and then,” said the source.