Pak cricket team plagued by 'groupism, politics': minister

A Pakistani minister today claimed that "groupism and politics" were rife in the national cricket team even as he alleged that some players had "ganged up" against captain Shahid Afridi and let him down in the World T20 match against New Zealand which Pakistan lost.
"There is a grouping in the team and this was quite visible in Pak-New Zealand match. Some Pakistani players clearly ganged up against the other (Shahid Afridi) to let him down. They performed shamelessly to play their dirty politics," said state minister for water and power Abid Sher Ali who is a close relative of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Talking to reporters here, the minister said "groupism and politics" are at its best in the Pakistan cricket team and it is high time to send home all those involved.
"Shahid Afridi is also a spent force and he deserves no place in the team," Ali said and demanded that the players who performed shamefully for their "cheap" politics should be banned for life adding that "a new team should be formed after the T20 World Cup" currently underway in India.
The181-run challenge thrown by the New Zealanders proved insurmountable for Pakistan who could only manage 158 runs for five wickets in a must-win game in Mohali last night.

The win took the brilliant Black Caps to the semi-finals of the tournament leaving Pakistan with only a bleak chance of qualifying for the next stage.