In response to rumours of a captaincy change ahead of the T20 World Cup in 2024, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi took a jab at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Notably, the PCB removed Babar Azam from captaincy responsibilities in all three formats following their appalling performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
The board designated Shan Masood as the longest format captain and gave Sheheen Afridi the captaincy in Twenty20 Internationals. The fast bowler, however, did not fare well in his first series, as the captain dropped four straight games before winning the final one of the series.
Afridi, Sheheen’s father-in-law, responded to speculations of a captaincy change by saying the board should allow him more time to establish himself.
“In my opinion, if Sheheen has been appointed captain and given the necessary responsibilities, then you should also give him some time.” The main issue with our cricket is that every time a new face is added to the board, our system gets altered. Whoever shows up believes that whatever he is doing is best for cricket in Pakistan. Hindustan Times cited Afridi as stating, “If you change the captain, then either the decision to appoint him was wrong or the decision to change him now is wrong.”
Shahid Afridi discusses the U-turn in retirement for Muhammad Amir and Imad Wasim.
Speaking further ahead of the T20 World Cup, the renowned all-rounder said that if they can make it through the current training camp, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir will return to optimal fitness.
“But I can tell you that if they can come through this two-week training camp in Kabul, they will be supermen,” he stated.
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Notably, the Pakistani army is putting 29 players through a rigorous fitness camp in Kabul, Abbottabad, in order to get them ready for the crammed schedule that includes the T20 World Cup 2024 and the T20I series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England. The camp will run from April 8 to March 26.
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