Shaheen Afridi Not at Odds with Agha, Hesson, Affirms PCB

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has firmly denied reports suggesting a rift between pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, captain Salman Ali Agha, and head coach Mike Hesson during the ongoing West Indies tour. 

Terming the allegations as “baseless, fabricated, and defamatory,” the board warned of strict legal action against those involved in spreading misinformation.

Speculation about tensions within the squad arose after a widely circulated social media post alleged dissatisfaction on the part of Hesson and Agha regarding Afridi’s attitude. The matter reportedly reached PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi, prompting the board to issue an official clarification.

“The PCB affirms that no such incident has occurred at any point during training or practice sessions. These malicious rumours are entirely fictitious and appear to have been deliberately concocted with clear malafide intent to sow discord within the national squad,” the statement read, as quoted by India Today.

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Calling the allegations a “serious and premeditated defamation campaign,” the board said it would hold all involved parties accountable under applicable laws.

“The PCB remains committed to protecting its players, staff, and the sanctity of the national team from unwarranted and harmful speculation,” it added.

The board also urged media outlets to act responsibly and verify facts before reporting such claims.

Meanwhile, on the field, Pakistan started their limited-overs series against the West Indies on a positive note. The Agha-led side clinched the first T20I by 14 runs, with opener Saim Ayub putting in a match-winning all-round performance — scoring 57 off 38 balls and claiming 2 wickets for 20 runs in his two overs.

The two teams are scheduled to play three T20Is followed by three ODIs in the ongoing bilateral series.