Amid reports of PCB urging Babar Azam to take over T20I captaincy from Shaheen Afridi due to waning confidence, Babar expressed his desire for captaincy across all formats.
Amidst potential upheaval in Pakistan cricket, reports from news agency IANS indicate a significant push for Babar Azam to reassume the captaincy across all formats, following his abrupt resignation months earlier. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), reportedly displeased with Shaheen Afridi’s leadership, is seeking Babar’s return to strengthen the team strategy.
Previously, Shan Masood was appointed Test captain for the challenging Australian tour, while Afridi was entrusted with leading the T20I squad, aiming for his adaptation to the role. PCB’s chairman and selectors plan to meet Babar to discuss the captaincy issue.
While PCB is initially seeking Babar’s leadership until the T20 World Cup, the star player expressed a preference for a long-term captaincy role, extending beyond the upcoming tournament. Babar has conveyed his desire to PCB, making it a prerequisite condition for considering the T20I captaincy, as per sources.
“The decision emerged from a late-night meeting between Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and the selectors,” a source was quoted as saying by IANS.
“Babar has already communicated to the PCB that he wishes to lead the national team across all formats and has kept it as a pre-condition to consider captaincy in the T20I format. PCB is vulnerable right now. They want Babar for the T20I World Cup. And they would have to agree with his demands because of the board’s vulnerable position,” the source added.
The source also highlighted a concerning lack of communication between PCB officials and Afridi regarding his potential replacement. Despite actively preparing for the upcoming World Cup and playing a pivotal role in convincing players like Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir to return, Shaheen’s exclusion from discussions raises questions about PCB’s operational transparency.
Last Updated on March 30, 2024
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