The Pakistan National Cricket Team has once again made headlines in the news thanks to not only on-screen drama but off-screen conflict and politics in the dressing room. The details of an explosive dressing room row have come out in the open after Bangladesh scored an utterly embarrassing 104-run victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Dhaka.
Test captain Shan Masood had a heated battle of words with top bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi during a post-match review session, according to sources. After this heated exchange of words, Pakistan lowered Shaheen Afridi in the squad for the ongoing second Test match in Sylhet. In this comprehensive overview of what exactly went on behind closed doors.
What Happened Inside the Dressing Room? The Trigger Behind the Clash
It was a boiling point when the team was taken out for its required post-match evaluation meeting convened by the management and captaincy room to analyse the shortcomings of the first Test.
According to reports, Shan Masood had several critical remarks on the packet’s performance overall, including Shaheen Shah Afridi’s noticeable surge in shots. He noted that the Indian pace bowlers’ delivery speed had dropped to around 132 kmph, which appeared very much a less effective service compared with the fiery outburst of Bangladeshi pace bowler Nahid Rana which averaged 145 kmph. Masood pointed out that an ignition of opposition batsmen was absent with the slow bowlers not being able to swing a significant attack.
Shaheen Afridi’s Counter-Attack: The criticism did not sit well with the former T20I captain. Shaheen reportedly retaliated by shifting the blame entirely onto Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup. He argued that the team was in a highly comfortable position at 349/5 at one stage, but the batting completely collapsed, bowling the team out for 368. Shaheen straight turned to the skipper and added, “First, one has to take responsibility for own batting shortcomings and rectify individual performance. Notably, Shan Masood had scored a combined total of merely 11 runs in both innings of that Test match.
However, the former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and the head coach needed to step in as soon as the altercation worsened as it could only get much worse.
Was Shaheen Shah Afridi Dropped as a Disciplinary Punishment?
As soon as the playing XI for the Sylhet Test match was announced without Shaheen Shah Afridi’s name, cricket fans and social media platforms exploded with speculation that the star bowler was being punished for insubordination and arguing with the team captain.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, his withdrawal is a part of the workload management and a vital rest period for him.
However, cricket analysts firmly believe that this sudden benching is a direct consequence of the dressing room row compounded by his ongoing struggle with form. Shaheen is not only dealing with pace-drop issues, but his professional relationship with captain Shan Masood is reportedly at an all-time low.
Blame game begins in Pakistan dressing room↔️
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) May 16, 2026
Shan Masood reportedly pointed fingers at Shaheen Shah Afridi after loss to Bangladesh but the pacer hit back telling the captain to mind his own performance🫨https://t.co/76xOgRNFIK
PCB Faces Compounding Internal and External Pressures
This recent dressing room clash adds a fresh wave of administrative headaches for the Pakistan Cricket Board.The International Cricket Council (ICC) also docked 8 key points from the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) from the Pakistani squad for maintaining the slow over-rate and imposed a hefty 40% match fee fine on the whole squad for losing the first test bout. Under current PCB central contract guidelines and strict player codes of conduct, repeating such behavioral violations could result in an official review of the players’ central contracts.
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