Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi’s tenure as T20 captaincy could be short-lived. Reports suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling a change in leadership ahead of the upcoming World Cup in June. Despite being a 2-time winner in PSL, his performance in the national team has come under scrutiny.
Hey cricket fans, brace yourselves for some major buzz from the cricket world! Guess what? Our beloved fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, might just lose his T20 captaincy for the T20 World Cup! Yep, you read that right!
Reports are buzzing that the higher authorities at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are seriously thinking about shaking things up. Well, seems like Shaheen’s team, Lahore Qalandars, didn’t quite rock the stage in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, they ended up right at the bottom of the points table! Ouch, tough break!
Afridi, appointed captain in November 2023, impressed by leading the Lahore Qalandars to back-to-back Pakistan Super League (PSL) titles in 2022 and 2023. However, his performance at the helm of the national team has come under scrutiny.
Pakistan’s recent T20 series loss to New Zealand in January 2024, Afridi’s first captaincy assignment, has raised concerns. Moreover, some believe the 23-year-old Afridi lacks the experience and maturity required for such a high-pressure role on the international stage. But others worry that changing the captain just before the World Cup might not be a good idea because it could affect the team’s performance badly.
Cricket Crises
The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has reportedly been advised to consider a change in captaincy. While a final decision is yet to be made, the murmurs in the media suggest Afridi’s position might be precarious. Moreover, the Pakistan cricket team is scheduled to participate in a series against New Zealand next month and the captain’s decision should be taken soon.
If Shaheen is replaced, Mohammad Rizwan, who is a wicket-keeper batter, is likely to take over. But there’s also talk about Babar Azam, a former captain, being considered for the role. Babar’s team, Peshawar Zalmi, is doing well in PSL 9, while Rizwan’s team, Multan Sultans, is in second place.
The T20 World Cup is starting on June 1 with a different format this time. Pakistan will play against India on June 9 in New York, which is expected to be an exciting match. Currently, England is the defending champion after winning the 2022 T20 World Cup. They defeated Pakistan in the final.
