Islamabad, Pakistan

Pakistan pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has shared a cryptic Instagram story amid the ongoing captaincy sage. Afridi was removed as the T20I captain after only four months at the helm, leading to unrest within the team, according to multiple reports. 

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Shaheen shared the story on his social media handle on Friday (Apr 5), seemingly taking a swipe at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other high-ranking officials who sabotaged his captaincy tenure.  

"Never ever put me in a position where I have to show you how cruel and ruthless I can be. Don't test my patience. Because I might be the kindest and sweetest person you've ever met, but once I reach my limit, you'll see me do the things that no one thought I was capable of doing," read the Instagram story. 

Afridi's rather cryptic statement comes days after he denied reports that claimed he had backed Babar as the new captain. The PCB statement following Babar's reinstatement as the captain stated that Afridi was prepared to help the batter "on and off the field" and that the team was playing as "one". Shaheen Afridi

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However, a source close to Afridi disputed that he approved the statement that suggested a smooth transition of power. 

"This is not Shaheen's statement and he has contacted PCB to clarify this," the source was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

"Shaheen will meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday to clarify this." 

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Also read | Shaheen Afridi to hold talks with PCB chairman over ‘fake quotes on Babar’s return’ as white-ball captain

Babar Azam handed the captaincy 

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi last week confirmed that Babar had replaced Afridi as the T20I captain. The decision was set in motion after Pakistan lost 1-4 to New Zealand and fast-tracked following Afridi's poor handling of his PSL team which won only one out of ten matches. 

“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team,” PCB said. 

Also read | PCB reappoints Babar Azam as Pakistan’s white-ball captain

Notably, it was after the disastrous World Cup campaign in India last year where the Pakistan team failed to get out of the group stage that PCB took the call to sack Babar from his position as the captain in all three formats of the game. 

(With inputs from agencies)