A defeat to arch-rivals India is always difficult to digest for the passionate Pakistani cricket community anywhere in the world, especially, when it is in a World Cup. A day after the defeat in Manchester on Sunday, the local media ran stories about groupings in the team and how some players wanted to topple the captain.


They stated that defeat to India was due to feud among players and their unhappiness with captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, local media reported Monday.

One of the Pakistani news channels reported that soon after he got out, Sarfaraz allegedly lost his cool in the dressing room and accused some players including Imad Wasim and Imam-ul-Haq, of forming a group against him and not supporting him.

Several media reports claimed that two players in the Pakistan team confirmed the incident but on condition of anonymity.

“But it was more out of frustration and I don't recall him blaming anyone or talking about groupings in the team but he did say the players needed to give more,” the player said.

Another Pakistani news channel reported that there are different groups in the team⁠—one led by Muhammad Aamir and another led by Imad⁠—which were letting Sarfaraz down.

Some former players have also hinted at problems in the team but former captain Moin Khan said it was the duty of the Pakistan Cricket Board to back its management.

“It is normal in our country that when the team is not doing well in a major event or otherwise there is always talk about problems in the dressing room,” he said.

Moin said he fully backed Sarfaraz although key mistakes were made against Australia and India.

“The point of concern is that our fielding and catching standards have been very shoddy and that has not helped,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)