After a public course of through which PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi repeatedly declined to again Shaheen, the PCB formally confirmed that the quick bowler’s one-series stint as T20I captain had come to a detailed, asserting Babar as T20I and ODI captain as soon as extra. With relationships throughout the crew inevitably coming beneath pressure, the PCB has put out a press launch with Shaheen and Babar sending out statements of help for one another in a bid to place the entire saga behind them.
“I’ll all the time cherish the recollections and the chance,” Afridi stated. “As a crew participant, it’s my responsibility to again our captain, Babar Azam. I have performed beneath his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I’ll attempt to assist him on and off the sector. We’re all one. Our intention is similar, to assist Pakistan develop into the perfect crew on the earth.”
I’m stunned by the choice by very skilled cricketers within the choice committee. I nonetheless consider that if change was needed than Rizwan was your best option! But since now the choice has been made I supply my full help and greatest needs to crew Pakistan and Babar…
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 31, 2024
Babar referred to as it “a pleasure” to play beneath Shaheen in that solitary New Zealand sequence. “He’s nonetheless younger and is enhancing as a participant and as a pacesetter day-after-day,” Babar stated. “As a captain, I have all the time valued his enter and I’ll preserve consulting him for necessary selections going ahead. We should make the most of his strategic understanding of the sport.”
Whereas the choice is troublesome to learn as something apart from a swift lack of religion in Shaheen’s management capabilities, the PCB attributed the captaincy U-turn to workload administration. “Whereas Shaheen Afridi has undeniably confirmed himself as a star quick bowler, main Pakistan’s tempo assault over time, the board recognises the significance of rotation and relaxation to keep up his peak efficiency. This resolution aligns with board’s dedication to safeguarding the longevity of the gamers, particularly quick bowlers given their damage timelines prior to now two years.”
Saying Babar’s captaincy document spoke for itself, the PCB thanked Afridi for his contributions as captain, stating he can be a part of “the management group” shifting ahead.
