In an indication that all is not well within the Pakistan cricket team, stand-in skipper Younis Khan reportedly clashed with captain Inzamam-ul Haq and Shahid Afridi during the ongoing first cricket Test against the West Indies in Barbados.
Media reports in Islamabad said the incident took place on the first day of the Test match after Afridi expressed indignation at being asked to open the innings by Younis.
"Younis had told Afridi he would open the innings before the match started but he didn't give a clear yes. On the first day Younis kept on telling him he should open the innings. Finally, when Pakistan were getting ready bat for four overs at the end of the first day, Afridi told Yasir Hameed in the dressing room to pad up and open," local daily The News said, quoting sources who witnessed the incident.
"This upset Younis and he asked Afridi why he was misbehaving and he was not one to tell Yasir to open the innings. Younis also made it clear to him he will open the innings. At that time Afridi got up and went out to open.
"But after the day's play ended when Younis was taking a shower Afridi walked up to him and got into an argument with him accusing him of being too big for his boots. Afridi then went and complained to Inzamam, who came and also confronted Younis," the sources said.
"Inzamam got very upset with Younis and asked him what he thought of himself and if he thought that he was the captain and boss of the team. Younis told him to his face that while
he accepted that he (Inzamam) was captain but until he (Younis) was leading the side he would do it in his own way and he should not try to support Afridi who was misbehaving with him."
The sources said at this point Afridi also came into the argument and some pushing and jostling took place between the three before others intervened.
They also did not rule out the fact that this incident could have hit the players mentally, which explained their poor batting performance on the second day.
"The incident was not good for the team and it upset Younis no end because he was hurt that Inzamam didn't support him when he was only trying to tell Afridi he needed to tow the team line," they added.
Incidentally, the episode took place with the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Shaharyar Khan also present in Barbados to watch the match.
