PCB clears up rumors about Shaheen Afridi turning down the role of vice-captain

I Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement addressing recent reports that Shaheen Afridi he refused the request to be the vice-captain of the national side and vice-captain Babar Azam Of course T20 World Cup 2024.

Leadership changes and projections

This has come amid significant leadership changes in the Pakistan cricket team following a tumultuous period after the ODI World Cup 2023. In recent months, the Men in Green have experienced a series of leadership upheavals. Babar Azam has stepped down as Pakistan’s captain in all formats after a 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.

Re-designation of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi’s removal

Babar was reinstated as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming series New Zealand, while Shaheen was removed from the leadership position after the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand in January. This restructuring is considered as part of PCB’s wider strategy to stabilize the team’s performance and leadership structure.

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Team announcement and vice-captain’s argument

On Friday (May 24), the PCB announced the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup, with Babar confirmed as captain. Notably, no vice-captain was named, leading to speculation that Shaheen had turned down the role.

According to a recent report by ESPNcricinfo, Shaheen was offered the vice-captaincy of the Pakistan T20 team before the World Cup squad was announced but he turned it down. As a result, the World Cup squad, announced just hours before the ICC deadline for the final presentation of the team, did not include an officially appointed vice-captain.

Previous dissatisfaction and PCB response

The PCB has now clarified in its statement on the Platform X social media that the decision not to appoint a vice-captain was due to the selectors’ choice, not Shaheen’s refusal. The PCB’s latest statement aimed to dispel rumors of further unrest, stressing that the decision not to name the vice-captain was taken by the selection committee.

“At Friday’s meeting of the selection committee, there were discussions about the vice-captain. However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no contribution is made to any player. The team is fully united, determined and looking forward to the upcoming matches in the UK and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024,” the statement read.

In Friday’s meeting of the selection committee, there were discussions about the vice-captain. However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no contribution is made to any player. The team is fully united, dedicated and looking forward to the upcoming games…

– Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 25, 2024

Pakistan’s recent form and future prospects

Pakistan are aiming to build on their impressive run in the recent T20 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals in 2021 and the final in 2022. However, their form has been inconsistent. They lost 4-1 to New Zealand earlier this year and later drew 2-2 with the same team in Pakistan, despite New Zealand playing a weaker team. They’ve also got a mixed bag to deal with Ireland, lost the first T20I before bouncing back to win the series. They also passed 1-0 In England in their final series before the world exhibition event.

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