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SYLHET: Pakistan fast bowling coach Umar Gul has clarified the viral video involving pacer Shaheen Afridi during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
A day earlier, Shaheen Afridi was seen in an animated discussion with Umar Gul on the sidelines of the Test match. The clip quickly gained traction on social media, with many fans accusing Shaheen of disrespecting Umar Gul.
However, Gul explained the discussion in the press conference at the end of the third day.
“I think yesterday, when I woke up, somebody had tagged me on ‘X.’ It showed that Shaheen was not listening to the coach,” he told reporters.
What really happened between Umar Gul and Shaheen Afridi? Heated moment or normal discussion? #pakvban #cricket #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/vLMkrfyvLc
— Urooj Jawed🇵🇰 (@uroojjawed12) May 17, 2026
“It was being shown as if Shaheen Shah Afridi was not listening to the coach and that he was being sent onto the field,” he added.
Gul clarified that the situation was actually related to the moment when Hasan Ali had fallen and suffered a blow to the head.
“In reality, it was about the moment when Hasan Ali had fallen and suffered a blow to the head, while Shaheen was sitting outside. Normally, whenever Shaheen bowls, he tapes his arm beforehand for protection,” the 43-year-old revealed.
“I think a concussion replacement takes around half an hour. The match referee informed you that you have to make a decision within that half-hour window,” he informed.
The bowling coach added that Shaheen was being told that if Hasan’s condition turned out to be serious, then he would be the only available option, so he was asked to start taping up.
“He was being told that if Hasan’s condition turned out to be serious, then Shaheen would be our only option, so he should start taping up. By that time, Sarfaraz Ahmed was also coming downstairs,” he clarified.
“Sarfaraz told me that Hasan had been hit on the head, so it appeared as though Shaheen was saying, ‘Is everything alright mentally?’”
He said that the clip had been circulating on social media since the previous day, but there was nothing of that sort, and they were unaware that the camera was filming them.
“This clip has been circulating on social media since yesterday, but there was nothing like that. We did not know the camera was filming us,” Gul concluded.
