Sun Aug 03 02:10:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the situation, along with a suitable headline:

**Headline: PCB Denounces “Defamatory” Rumors of Rift Within National Cricket Team, Threatens Legal Action**

**Islamabad, Pakistan** – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has vehemently denied widespread social media rumors alleging a rift between pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha, and a member of the coaching staff, reportedly head coach Mike Hesson. In a strongly worded statement released Thursday, the PCB labelled the allegations as “baseless, fabricated, and defamatory,” and announced its intention to pursue legal action against those responsible for spreading the false claims.

The denial comes after a viral online post asserted that Hesson and Agha had voiced concerns about Afridi’s attitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, sparking speculation about unrest within the team’s dressing room.

“The PCB categorically denies the baseless, fabricated, and defamatory allegations currently being circulated on social media,” the statement read, emphasizing that no such incident occurred during any training or practice session. The Board believes the rumors are a deliberate attempt to sow discord within the national squad and tarnish the reputations of the individuals involved.

The PCB accused unnamed individuals of a calculated and reprehensible effort to disrupt team unity. It further stated that it would initiate legal proceedings, including defamation and cybercrime charges, against the perpetrators, emphasizing the seriousness with which it views the situation.

The controversy emerged as the Pakistan men’s team is currently in the West Indies for a six-match white-ball series. The PCB urged the public, media, and digital platforms to refrain from engaging with or promoting unverified information. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its players, staff, and the integrity of the national team from unwarranted and harmful speculation.

The T20I leg of the tour begins on Friday, August 2nd, followed by the ODI series starting on August 8th.

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