Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy Under Scrutiny: Mohammed Rizwan Touted as Replacement

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hinted at the uncertainty regarding Shaheen Shah Afridi’s leadership role in the T20 team. The decision is expected to be taken after the national camp in Kakul. Reports suggest that wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan is a strong contender for the captaincy across both white-ball formats.

Naqvi stated to reporters that the selection committee, alongside the board, is deliberating on various factors and will finalize the decision after the Kakul training camp. He emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership while acknowledging the need for thoughtful consideration by the selectors.

Shaheen Shah Afridi took over as T20I captain from Babar Azam following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup. The decision was made by the previous committee led by Zaka Ashraf, which also appointed Shan Masood as Test captain.

Shaheen’s successful stint as captain of Lahore Qalandars, leading them to consecutive PSL titles, played a pivotal role in his national captaincy appointment. However, recent setbacks, including a 1-4 defeat in a T20I series against New Zealand and a bottom finish in the latest PSL edition, have raised doubts about his suitability for the role, particularly with the T20 World Cup scheduled in June.