Shaheen Afridi Declines Vice-Captaincy, PCB Chief Says Babar Azam Is Sufficient
Babar Azam has been re-appointed as Pakistan captain ahead of T20 World Cup 2024.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to reappoint Babar Azam as captain for the T20 World Cup 2024 has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
This comes after Babar Azam stepped down following a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign, with Shaheen Afridi taking the reins in the T20 format. However, Shaheen’s brief tenure was cut short as Babar reclaimed the captaincy ahead of the mega event.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, during a dinner in London, urged fans to support the team as a whole instead of cheering for individuals.
Moshin Naqvi expressed confidence, stating, “This is the time to support the team. I urge everyone to stop criticizing the team for the next four weeks. This team will win the World Cup for you,” according to cricketpakistan.com.
Naqvi’s comments regarding the vice-captaincy role for the World Cup, however, raised eyebrows. When questioned about the position and its holder, Naqvi delivered a blunt response that has sparked debate.
“In my opinion, Babar Azam alone is more than sufficient. This team has the best combination and is highly capable,” declared Naqvi.
This statement has been interpreted by some as a slight towards Shaheen Afridi. While Shaheen’s captaincy stint was brief, many believe he deserved the role of vice-captain.
There were also reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board offered Shaheen Afridi the role of vice-captain, but he respectfully rejected it, stating that he had no interest in it.
