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The Pakistani cricketing landscape is once again embroiled in a whirlwind of speculation and debate as reports swirl regarding potential changes in leadership. This time, the focus is on the captaincy, with murmurs suggesting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may be considering replacing Shaheen Afridi as skipper of the T20I format.
Amidst these swirling rumors, veteran cricketer Shahid Afridi has stepped forward to express his discontent with the situation, throwing his support behind his son-in-law Shaheen and calling out the PCB’s potential decision.
The Shifting leadership landscape in Pakistan cricket
The recent history of Pakistan cricket leadership has seen significant shifts. Following a lackluster campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023, Shaheen was appointed as the new T20 skipper, while Shan Masood took over the reins in Tests. These changes marked the end of Babar Azam‘s tenure as captain across all formats, signaling a new era in Pakistani cricket leadership.
Rumours of PCB reconsidering Babar Azam for leadership
However, with the recent appointment of Mohsin Naqvi as PCB chairman, replacing Zaka Ashraf, reports have surfaced suggesting a reconsideration of Babar for the captaincy role. This speculation comes on the heels of Shaheen’s underwhelming performance as captain, particularly highlighted by Pakistan’s 1-4 loss in the T20I series against New Zealand and Lahore Qalandars‘ disappointing campaign in the Pakistan Super League 2024, where Shaheen led the team.
Similarly, Masood’s leadership in Tests has also faced scrutiny, notably after Pakistan suffered a whitewash against Australia. As discussions and debates intensify within the cricketing community, vetean cricketer Shahid has emerged as a vocal advocate for Shaheen’s continued captaincy.
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Shahid Afridi voices support for Shaheen Afridi and criticizes PCB
Expressing his discontent with the PCB’s potential decision, Shahid emphasized the importance of stability in leadership and urged the board to allow Shaheen adequate time to prove his worth. He pointed out the perennial issue within Pakistan cricket, where frequent changes in management often lead to instability and hinder the development of players and teams.
“I think that if you have appointed someone as captain (Shaheen) and given him the responsibility, then give him time as well. The biggest problem with our cricket is that our system changes whenever the faces change in the board. Whoever comes thinks whatever he is doing is the best for Pakistan cricket,” Shahid told media, highlighting the need for continuity and patience in leadership decisions.
It’s worth noting that Shaheen is not just any player for Shahid but a family member as the fast bowler is married to his daughter, Ansha Afridi.
