Shaheen Afridi trolls Mohsin Naqvi over ‘major surgery’ remarks

Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi took a humorous jab at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi following his comments about the Pakistan cricket team after their dismal performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led team faced a humiliating group stage exit, losing to both the United States and arch-rivals India.

Naqvi had stated that the team needed "major surgery," a remark that Shaheen found amusing. Addressing reporters on Monday, Shaheen quipped, "Koi Beemar Hogaya (Whose surgery, Is somebody ill?)", sparking laughter among those present.

Naqvi had expressed his disappointment last month, saying, “I thought the team required minor surgery to start winning matches but now it appears that we have to go for major surgery. It is very disappointing the way we lost to the USA and now this loss to India. We need to now start looking at players beyond those in the team right now.”

He further added, “Why the team is not performing is something everyone is asking. The World Cup is still on. But obviously, we will sit down and take a look at everything."

Naqvi, who took charge of PCB earlier this year, had immediately sacked Shaheen from the T20I captaincy and reinstated Babar Azam. Shaheen had captained the team in one series, where they lost 4-1 to New Zealand, before being removed from the role.

Rumours of a rift between Babar and Shaheen have persisted since the captaincy switch.