Shaheen Shah Afridi was replaced by Babar Azam as captain of T20 by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). However, after one series, there are doubts about the future of Afridi’s leadership. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has further fueled the rumors without confirming whether the fast bowler will remain as the captain.
After the ODI World Cup, Pakistan removed Babar from the leadership of the three editions. Shan Masood was given the responsibility of Test team, Afridi was made captain in T20. Pakistan has played only one series under Afridi so far. Pakistan lost 4-1 against New Zealand.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Afridi’s leadership has recently been questioned after his performance in the PSL. PCB had relied on Afridi, who had led Lahore Qalandars to titles in the previous two seasons. However, Afridi’s team can win only one match in this PSL.
While announcing the new selection committee in Lahore, Mohsin said about Afridi’s future, “Even I don’t know who will be the captain.” Whether Shaheen will continue, or a new one will come, will be decided after the fitness camp. We will consider several strategic issues, which we will not discuss in detail. We want a long-term solution—be it Shaheen or someone new. After that we want to rely on him, we don’t want to change the captain if we lose a match.
The camp that Mohsin is talking about starts today. The board is sending 27 players to practice with the army in Kakule of the country. The camp will last for 10 days. As a result, PCB will get some more time to decide the captain.
However, Afridi will remain the captain without saying anything, the PCB chief has strengthened the rumor of making another captain. If that is the case, three captains will see Pakistan cricket in this edition in the last 5 months.
Recently, the storm of change has started again there. Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim and left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir have returned from retirement ahead of the T20 World Cup. Haris Rauf has been reinstated to the central contract just six weeks after being dropped.
The new selection committee has also been announced. Former cricketers Abdul Razzak, Mohammad Yusuf and Asad Shafiq joined Wahab Riaz, who has been serving as the chief selector for so long. Team coach, captain and team analyst Hasan Cheema will also be in the selection committee. Although PCB chairman Naqvi said, none of these seven are the chief, each has equal power in the party selection.