Mohammad Amir refutes Shahid Afridi’s claim regarding Babar Azam

Mohammad Amir has responded to Shahid Afridi's claims regarding his behavior towards Babar Azam, the captain of Peshawar Zalmi during the eighth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Afridi had previously stated that he had messaged and reprimanded Amir for his on-field conduct with Babar, after the left-arm pacer had thrown a ball towards Babar in frustration following a boundary.

“If you want to play for Pakistan, you have to play alongside Babar only. Will you be able to look at him in the eye? Can you play under his captaincy? Focus on your performance, control your aggression, and go back home peacefully,” Afridi had said then.

Afridi had aslo revealed that the pacer understood his criticism and apologized for his behavior.

However, after more than four months, Amir has finally broken his silence on the matter and refuted Afridi's claim. In an interview with with a local news channel, the left-arm pacer revealed that he had received a message from Afridi, but it was not related to the incident mentioned by Afridi. According to Amir, Afridi's message praised his bowling and inquired about his fitness.

“I received his message but this wasn't it. He only praised my bowling and enquired about my injury. But the things like 'how will you face Babar'... this wasn't in his texts at all. What harm have I caused Babar? or vice-versa? I found it very weird. I don't know what he was thinking when he said that. I guess he speaks a little quickly so he might have mistakenly said that,” Amir said.

Amir stated that he and Babar have a mutual understanding and respect for each other, and there has never been any ill will or animosity between them. Despite this, the public perception often portrays them as enemies, which Amir finds inaccurate.

“Babar and I have a mutual understanding and respect. He never bad-mouthed me and same from my side as well. But public thinks we are enemies. It was never like that,” he further added.