Shahid Afridi backs son-in-law Shaheen Afridi after his reported rift with Babar Azam: 'Improve your captaincy'

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Shahid Afridi has reacted to the alleged dressing room fight between captain Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi after Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka and crashed out of the Asia Cup 2023.

Reports had suggested that Babar Azam was schooling seniors for not fulfilling their responsibilities when left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi interrupted and asked him not to generalise and at least praise those who did well.

Babar Azam did not like the interruption and hit back at Shaheen saying he was aware who was performing and who not. The star batter did not speak to anyone after that and stayed mum throughout the bus journey from the R Premadasa Stadium to the team hotel.

Shahid Afridi defends son-in-law Shaheen Afridi after his war of words with Babar Azam

Shahid Afridi has finally broken his silence on the matter and defended his son-in-law. He has said senior players and coaches will have to make Babar Azam "strong", before suggesting him to "improve" his captaincy.

"We are going to World Cup. All the seniors, including head coach, Mickey, have to talk to him [Babar Azam]. Make him strong. Don't fear from making tough decisions. Don't worry about losses. Either you win, or you learn," Shahid Afridi, the father-in-law of Shaheen Afridi, told Samaa TV.

"My issue is, you've been leading the side for 3 years. Come on. There are professionals around you. Talk to them and improve your captaincy. You're a big player, but you would want people to also remember you as captain."

Communication was so broke when I was chief selector: Shahid Afridi

Further, the former Pakistan captain said that there was a massive gap in communication when he was appointed the interim chief selector. He said the captain, coaches and players gave different reports altogether.

"I came in as chief selector for a month. There were so many problems. The captain had one choice, coach had other choices. Both were giving me different reports, whilst players were giving me different reports altogether. The communication was so broke."

Amid all the chaos, a fresh report has emerged that Shaheen Afridi would take over the vice-captaincy role from Shadab Khan in the World Cup 2023.