Great personal rivalries behind the scenes – Pakistan

India and Australia have sustained themselves at the peak of the cricketing world due to their exceptional media management or the fact that their leaders, coaches or administrators have been essential in resolving team conflicts for the better of the individual as well as the team.

However, this is so not the case with Pakistan! Pakistan has always been known for three reasons – Fast bowlers, unpredictability and a bunch of individuals rather than a unit.

Their rifts have been innumerable but here are 5 of those, which destroyed their team harmony –

1) Saleem Malik vs. Rashid Latif –  During Pakistan’s 1995 tour to South Africa, the captain Malik and vice-captain Latif were allegedly involved in an altercation as to what should the team do after winning the toss in an ODI final. This may have resulted in Latif dropped from the team frequently, while Malik eventually was banned for match fixing in the 90s.

2) Imran vs. Miandad – The two biggest superstars of Pakistani cricket at one point, a clash of egos was bound to happen. Miandad wanted to lead Pakistan for long, but he accused Imran of taking many players on his side to ensure that he is stripped off the captaincy. Plus, Miandad was rebellious, confrontational and outspoken which did not impress the ironhanded Imran.

3) Shoaib Malik vs. Mohammad Yousuf – Malik was made captain in 2007 but many were upset with this. Yousuf particularly, accused Malik of promoting politics within the team and being extremely pessimistic. While Malik thought of Yousuf as a pathetic, defensive captain and the one who had many problems in life.

4) Akhtar vs. Inzamam – Some think of Shoaib as the fastest bowler ever seen, some think of him as the bad boy of Pakistani cricket. But his antics frustrated Inzamam, who led Pakistan from 2003-2007. India won the deciding Rawalpindi Test match of the 2004 series, but that might have not been so if Shoaib would have continued bowling. His sudden injury made Inzy question his attitude and dedication to play for his country, something for which Shoaib resented him a lot.

5) Akhtar vs. Afridi – The two greatest entertainers ever perhaps have forgiven each other now, but if only they had done it before, it would have meant something. Afridi, apparently insulted his family on the eve of the World T20 2007 which angered Akhtar so much that while attempting to hit him with a bat, he hit Mohammad Asif instead who tried to appease the two.

That resulted in Akhtar being banned from the team indefinitely. Afridi also had problems with Shoaib Malik, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in particular. So both could be the culprits for this rivalry.