Amid swirling rumors of internal discord within the national cricket team, wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has taken to social media to dispel speculation and reinforce the message of unity among the players.
Following the Pakistan cricket team's recent defeat against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, whispers of disagreements and heated debates among senior players, particularly Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam, began to circulate in the media. Some reports even suggested that Mohammad Rizwan had to intervene to mediate the situation.
In response to these rumors, Rizwan shared an excerpt from Kaleem Usmani's famous poem about national unity on his X account emphasizing the importance of unity in the team.
He wrote, "Is Parcham k saaye talay, Hum aik hain. Hum aik hain. Saanjhi apni khushyaan, Aur gham aik hain. Hum aik hain" (Under this flag's shadow, we are one. We share our joys and sorrows, for we are one).
Is Parcham k saaye talay,
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) September 20, 2023
Hum aik hain. Hum aik hain.
Saanjhi apni khushyaan,
Or ghum aik hain. Hum aik hain.#PakistanZindabad 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/NWNoT2BFPZ
Rizwan's statement echoes the sentiment of unity that has been an integral part of the team's ethos over the years. Premier pacer Shaheen Afridi also joined in to put an end to the speculations, sharing a photo of himself with Babar Azam on Twitter, captioned, "Family."
family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VjKAFOTIE5
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) September 19, 2023
The Men in Green did face disappointment in the Asia Cup, with their only victories coming against Nepal and Bangladesh. However, as the team looks forward to the upcoming World Cup in 2023, scheduled to be held in India, it is clear that the players are keen to put aside any alleged differences and focus on representing their country with pride and unity.
Pakistan's journey in the World Cup begins with a match against the Netherlands, and fans are hopeful that the team can put up a strong performance and regain their winning momentum. As Rizwan and Shaheen's messages of unity reverberate within the cricketing fraternity, it is a reminder that the nation's hopes and aspirations rest firmly on the shoulders of these talented individuals, united in their pursuit of cricketing glory.
