Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for scapegoating players after the team’s dismal performance at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 last month.

Pakistan had a disastrous performance in the tournament as they failed to advance to the group stages despite being one of the pre-tournament favourites. The Babar Azam-led side started their campaign with a humiliating defeat against lowly USA team before also losing the match against arch-rivals India.

They managed to win their last two group matches, but the damage was already done. The 2009 T20 World Cup winners had no choice but to exit the competition at the group stage, while eventual champions India and USA qualified for the Super 8.

Following the dismal performance, the PCB decided to take drastic measures. It started by sacking Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq as selectors. According to media reports, the PCB was also set to initiate disciplinary action against Shaheen Afridi for misbehaviour during the tour of England just before the T20 World Cup.

Shahid Afridi criticises PCB:

With the players once again facing the heat from the PCB, Shahid Afridi has come to their defence and criticised the board for the same.

In a recent interaction with the media, the Pakistani all-rounder said that the PCB has a habit of putting all the blame on the players after a poor campaign in any major tournament. He also said that the PCB should take care of any small issues without creating too much drama, apparently referring to the controversy surrounding Shaheen Afridi.

“It is not right for players to compete with each other to save themselves. I played cricket for Pakistan for 20 or 22 years,” Shahid Afridi said.

“I have always observed that when we lose a big event, the cricket board makes the players come forward. I have always said that the role of the cricket board is like that of a parent. The cricket board should not make the players come forward to save themselves. These are minor issues and whatever the problem is, it can be handled calmly,” he added.

“Shaheen Ki Taareef Main Kam He Karta Hun, Main Dant’ta Zaada Hun Usko,” said former captain Shahid Afridi.#TOKReports #ShahidAfridi #ShaheenShahAfridi image.twitter.com/Z29QOrYrO3

— Karachi Times (@TOKCityOfLights) July 29, 2024

Last year, the PCB had also come under some major criticism after Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-final of the ODI World Cup. Soon after the tournament ended, Babar Azam resigned as captain across all three formats while the entire coaching staff was sacked.

Later, Shaheen and Shan Masood replaced Babar as T20I and Test captain respectively. However, Shaheen was removed as T20I captain after just one series and Babar took over the reins of the team again.