A fresh controversy is reportedly brewing between Shaheen Afridi and the Pakistan Cricket Board. A statement issued by the Cricket Board on behalf of Afridi on its website was at the heart of this. In the statement above, Afridi, who was stripped of the Pakistan white-ball captaincy on Sunday, declared full support to Babar Azam, who regains the leadership role ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.

Afridi led Pakistan in a lone T20I series against New Zealand before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to hand back the T20I and ODI reins to Babar. The classy batsman resigned as captain after the team failed to reach the knockout stages of last year’s 50-over World Cup. Shan Masood will continue as Pakistan Test captain.

“It has been an absolute honor to captain the Pakistan national cricket team. I will always cherish the memories and opportunity. As a team member, it is my responsibility to support our captain Babar Azam,” the statement read. Afridi said in a statement. Statement issued by PCB.

“I played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I will try my best to help him on and off the field. We are all one. Our goals are the same, to help Pakistan become the best in the world. Good team,” he added.

In the same statement, Babar said he will rely on Afridi to bring his tactical understanding of the game to the table.

“It is a pleasure to play under Shaheen. He is still young and improving every day as a player and leader. As captain, I have always valued his opinion and I will continue to consult him on important decisions going forward.

“We have to take advantage of his strategic understanding of the game. Our common goal is to make this team the best in the world,” Babar said.

Now, a report in ESPNCricinfo claims that Afridi is furious as he did not make any such statement. According to reports, the above statement was made by the PCB without the fast bowler’s permission. The report further added that Afridi was planning to make a personal statement over the “fake” quotes but stopped after an emergency meeting of the PCB. Reports said another meeting with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi and Afridi has been organized.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)