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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a statement addressing the recent reports that Shaheen Afridi declined the offer to be the vice-captain of the national side and deputy of Babar Azam for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Leadership changes and speculations
This development came amidst significant leadership changes within the Pakistan cricket team following a tumultuous period post the ODI World Cup 2023. In recent months, the Men in Green have experienced a series of leadership upheavals. Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy of Pakistan from all formats after the disastrous CWC 2023 campaign and in his place Shaheen got the role to lead the T20I side. However, Shaheen was replaced by Babar after just one series.
Reappointment of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi’s removal
Babar was reinstated as the captain of the Pakistan team for the series against New Zealand, while Shaheen was removed from the leadership role after the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand in January. This reshuffling was considered a part of a broader strategy by the PCB to stabilize the team’s performance and leadership structure.
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Squad announcement and vice-captaincy controversy
On Friday (May 24), the PCB announced the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, with Babar confirmed as the captain. Notably, no vice-captain was named, leading to speculation that Shaheen had rejected the role.
According to a recent report by ESPNcricinfo, Shaheen was offered the vice-captaincy of the Pakistan T20 side ahead of the World Cup squad announcement but turned down the offer. Consequently, the World Cup squad, announced just hours before the ICC deadline for final squad submissions, did not include an officially designated vice-captain.
Previous discontent and PCB’s response
Now the PCB clarified in their statement on social media Platform X that the decision not to appoint a vice-captain was due to the selectors’ preference, not Shaheen’s refusal. The PCB’s recent statement aim to quell any rumors of further unrest, emphasizing that the decision not to name a vice-captain was made by the selection committee.
“During Friday’s selection committee meeting, discussions on the vice-captaincy took place. However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offer was made to any player. The side is fully united, committed and keenly looking forward to the upcoming matches in the UK and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024,” the statement reads.
During Friday's selection committee meeting, discussions on the vice-captaincy took place. However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offer was made to any player. The side is fully united, committed and keenly looking forward to the upcoming matches…
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 25, 2024
Pakistan’s recent form and future prospects
Pakistan are aiming to build on their recent impressive T20 World Cup performances, where they were semi-finalists in 2021 and finalists in 2022. Nevertheless, their form has been inconsistent. They suffered a 4-1 defeat in New Zealand earlier this year and later drew 2-2 against the same side in Pakistan, despite New Zealand fielding a weakened team. They also experienced a mixed series against Ireland, losing the first T20I before bouncing back to win the series. They are further 1-0 down to England in their final series ahead of the global showpiece event.
