Babar Azam Set To Replace Shaheen Afridi As Pakistan T20I Captain: Reports

Lahore: There’s a significant shake-up imminent in Pakistan cricket, according to reports in the media. Babar Azam is set to regain his position as the T20I captain for the Pakistan cricket team, with Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy tenure seemingly coming to a close. Sources indicate that Azam will take the reins from the upcoming five-T20I series against New Zealand starting April 18.

The decision stems from the PCB’s assessment that Babar Azam is the best available option to lead the team, given the circumstances. This move follows a string of disappointments, including Pakistan’s lacklustre performance at the ICC ODI World Cup in India last year, which led to Azam’s removal as captain.

Interestingly, there seems to be a shift in the PCB’s confidence regarding leadership choices, with doubts arising about Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s suitability for Test and T20 formats respectively. It’s noted that Babar Azam, despite being approached for captaincy again, has expressed reservations and seeks assurances from the board chairman.

Babar Azam had previously held the captaincy across all formats since 2020 but relinquished the role following poor team performances in key tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup. On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi, once hailed as a promising leader, appears to have fallen out of favour swiftly, notably after a disappointing series in New Zealand and a lacklustre showing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.