Babar Azam: “I get surprised with the rumours I see on social media. Shaheen and I have a great bonding. Our target is only to play and win matches for our country. Pakistan is our only priority”
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Pakistan limited overs captain Babar Azam has made it clear that there is no rift between him and left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Rumours had swirled about things getting heated between the duo, especially after Afridi was removed as T20I skipper and Azam was subsequently appointed as the country’s white-ball captain.
However, the 29-year-old dismissed all the speculation, reiterating that he and Afridi have a great relationship and are committed to helping Pakistan win matches.
“I get surprised with the rumours I see on social media. Shaheen and I have a great bonding. Our target is only to play and win matches for our country. Pakistan is our only priority,” he was quoted as saying by Geo Super.
Azam recently captained Pakistan in their five-match T20I series against New Zealand and accumulated 125 runs in five games, which included a top score of 69, at an average of 31.25 and a strike-rate of 138.88.
As for Afridi, he took eight wickets in four matches at an average of 10 and an economy rate of 7.38.
Azam and Afridi are now featuring in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Ireland.
After that, the men in green will play four T20Is against England from May 22 to May 30.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series: Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
Let them play – the truth of the matter is we have a spineless middle order + bowlers not in their prime form ! Searching for the right XI ?