Mike Hesson and Shaheen Afridi [Source: X]It's a tough spot for Pakistan players, especially Shaheen Afridi and Salman Agha, for where their game is headed for the T20 World Cup 2026 now. The Men in Green lost their second Super 8 match against England, and it is virtually impossible for the team to qualify for the semi-finals. Later, in a press conference, Shaheen Afridi took a massive jibe at coach Mike Hesson, who had earlier benched him in the Namibia clash but opted to play him again in the crucial Super 8 game against England. While Pakistan fights for survival in the ICC event, it seems like the cracks inside the team are yet to be cemented. The Rift Between Shaheen Afridi and Mike Hesson The potential rift between Afridi and coach Hesson may have begun after Afridi was dropped for the Namibia clash, with Hesson replacing him with Salman Mirza. The move was described by Hesson as purely tactical rather than a knee-jerk reaction, as he cited the need to optimise team roles following Shaheen's expensive outing against the Men in Blue. While no major dispute has been observed between the two, this incident alone can be seen as a trigger for disagreement between Pakistan’s premier bowler and the head coach. However, Afridi did not hold back while speaking about his omission and the coach's preference for all-rounders. Also Read: All Records Broken By History-Maker Harry Brook During His Epic Century vs PakistanAfridi Slams Hesson With Massive Sarcastic DigSpeaking later at a public press conference, Afridi boldly took a jibe at Hesson regarding his exclusion from the Namibia clash and the coach's inclination towards picking all-rounders. Shaheen remained positive while addressing the talks about being dropped from the playing XI. “Yes, you said I was dropped. But my focus was to work on my bowling, how to come back, and maintain my normal things so that I can give good results. I don’t need to prove to anyone. My job is whenever I have an opportunity, I will go and give 100 percent for my team,” Shaheen Afridi said. Taking a dig at Mike Hesson's decision to pick an all-rounder, Afridi was brutally sarcastic with his comment. "Look, he has a mindset, he is a head coach. I think he knows better than us how to run a team. And he is responsible for that," he said after Pakistan’s loss. Shaheen's Lethality in PAK vs ENG Game In VainNevertheless, Shaheen Afridi has been a consistent wicket-taker in the England clash despite the team's poor result. The pace bowler took the crucial wickets of Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell at key moments to give Pakistan an advantage, as he scalped four wickets from his four overs at an economy rate of 7.50. However, expensive spells from Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan, both of whom went wicketless, might have shifted the game in England's favour. Chasing Pakistan's 165, England were shaky at the start thanks to Afridi's double strike, dismissing Phil Salt and Buttler. However, Harry Brook's century pulled England back into the game as the middle and lower-middle order crumbled around him. The England batter stood firm to anchor the chase and pull the match in their favour with five balls remaining and two wickets in hand.Also Read: Ellyse Perry Out, Brook Ton And Harmanpreet Injury– February 24 Cricket Highlights
