Afridi denied senior players forming groups against Malik in the side but said there was a number of problems in the dressing room.

“I don’t want to say much because I am a centrally contracted player with the board but I think there is a need to have a culture in the team where more respect is shown to the few senior players in the side,” Afridi said.

“I think they are only two or three match-winners in the side and there is a need for the captain to give them encouragement and respect and consult them in team decisions on and off the field, because they are the ones who can win you matches,” Afridi told Geo channel.

Citing his own example, Afridi said he is consulted whenever he is in form but is conveniently forgotten at other times.

“This should not happen. Even if a player is not performing, he must be backed and involved in everything,” Afridi said.

Asserting that he has nothing against Malik and his only concern was the team’s well being, Afridi said the skipper should take the seniors into confidence.

“He has done this in the past and he can do it again,” he said.

Afridi has not been among the runs of late but the hard-hitting all-rounder exuded confidence that he would regain his form soon.