Atiq-uz-Zaman: “I’m really disappointed because Yousuf Bhai is a bigger name than Shaheen Afridi. So, he got to understand that there is something called respect”
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Former Pakistan cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman said fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s alleged disrespect towards Mohammad Yousuf shouldn’t have happened, saying the batting coach is a “bigger name” than the 24-year-old.
It is understood that Afridi and Yousuf got into a heated verbal altercation during a net session.
Yousuf allegedly told Afridi he was constantly bowling no-balls, which triggered a furious reaction from the pace spearhead as he supposedly told the iconic cricketer to “mind his business”.
It was also claimed that Afridi said: “Let me practice for now and don’t talk in the middle.”
Following the dispute, sources reported that Afridi apologised to Yousuf in front of the entire team.
Atiq noted that if the altercation did happen, Afridi should have been more respectful and followed Yousuf’s advice about not bowling no-balls.
“If Mohammad Yousuf bhai said that, Shaheen Afridi shouldn’t have made the comments he did. I’m not sure if he made them or not, as these are just rumours. If he did, I’m really disappointed because Yousuf Bhai is a bigger name than Shaheen Afridi. So, he got to understand that there is something called respect. If the coach instructs you, you should just put your head down and try not to bowl no-ball in the nets,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Afridi recently represented Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup and took five wickets in four matches at an average of 21 and an economy rate of 6.56.
The men in green lost to the United States of America and India before rebounding to defeat Canada and Ireland.
Even though they won their last two group stage games, it wasn’t enough to earn them a spot in the Super Eights.
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
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