The claims of Mohammad Amir regarding being mentally harassed by the team management and the coaching staff have created a stir in Pakistan’s cricket fraternity. Various former cricketers, analysts and pundits opined on the controversy siding either head coach Misbah-ul-Haq or the former left-arm quick.

Pakistan’s legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi also opened up on the whole issue stating Mohammad Amir’s dispute with the coaching staff is a continuation of an age-old tradition in Pakistan cricket. Afridi believes that it is time for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take things in control and directly converse with the players regarding their performance.

“This is not a good tradition. The board has a sort of parental relationship with its cricketers. Whether it is Mohammad Amir or any other player, the PCB should communicate its plans with them so that they mentally prepare themselves if they are dropped due to any issues,” Shahid Afridi said while speaking to media officials at the launch ceremony of the Kashmir Premier League’s official anthem in Lahore.

“It would be better if the chairman or chief selector talks to the players rather than the coaching staff. Mohammad Amir was made an issue for no reason,” he added.

Former players should just eye a role as the coach, says Shahid Afridi

Further in the interaction, the veteran all-rounder, who has represented Pakistan in 398 One Day Internationals and 99 T20 Internationals, seemed unimpressed with head coach Misbah-ul-Haq’s defensive approach. Shahid Afridi took a dig at Misbah stating that one can’t survive and excel on the big stage with a ‘heart of a chicken’.

The 43-year-old hailed former Indian captain and wicketkeeper Rahul Dravid for taking the job of nurturing the young talent in India and grooming them to represent the Men in Blue in the international circuit. Dravid is the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and coaches the under-19 players.

Afridi urged the former Pakistan cricketers to take up the role of grooming the players at the junior level so that they can excel on the big stage for Pakistan rather than just eying the role of the coach of the national side.

“I don’t think former players should just eye a role as the coach of the national side. Star cricketers such as Mohammad Yousaf, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan can do wonders at the junior level similar to how Rahul Dravid has done in India,” Shahid Afridi concluded.