The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has responded to gossip about a disagreement between fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, and a coach. A social media post that has since been removed said that Salman and coach Mike Hesson are not happy with Shaheen’s behavior, a problem that past leaders have also noted.

However, the PCB has shut down these rumors, calling them baseless and made up. In a statement, the PCB said it categorically denies the baseless, fabricated, and defamatory allegations circulating on social media about an alleged incident between Shaheen Shah Afridi, team captain Salman Ali Agha, and a member of the coaching staff. The PCB states that no such incident happened during training or practice. These rumors are completely false and seem to be intentionally created to cause trouble within the national team.

The PCB believes the post aims to disrupt the team’s atmosphere. This misinformation is a calculated and terrible attempt to hurt the Pakistan national team’s unity, morale, and image. The PCB views this as a serious and planned defamation campaign designed to damage the professional reputation of those targeted and the team’s overall environment, the statement added.

The board, led by Mohsin Naqvi, warned that it would take firm legal action against those spreading such false stories. Therefore, the PCB will begin strict legal action, including defamation and cybercrime charges, against those responsible for creating and spreading this false story. Anyone found to be helping spread these claims will be held fully responsible under the law, the PCB said.

The PCB also asked the public and media not to interact with those spreading fake content. The Board strongly advises the public, media, and online platforms to avoid engaging with, supporting, or spreading unproven and irresponsible content. The PCB is dedicated to protecting its players, staff, and the integrity of the national team from unnecessary and damaging speculation, the statement concluded.

The Pakistan team is currently playing a three-match T20I series against the West Indies, followed by an equal number of ODIs. Pakistan won the first T20I in Lauderhill, Florida, on Friday.