NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain
Shahid Afridi
has provided insight into his son-in-law
Shaheen Shah Afridi
's recent removal from the captaincy, revealing that he had always harboured reservations about Shaheen assuming the role of skipper.
Shaheen's tenure as T20I captain was short-lived, as he was relieved of the captaincy last Sunday after leading the Men in Green in just one series, resulting in a 4-1 defeat against
New Zealand
.
The
Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) subsequently reinstated
Babar Azam
as the captain of the white-ball format ahead of the 2024
T20 World Cup
.
It has been reported by ESPNcricinfo that Shaheen expressed dissatisfaction after the PCB issued a statement on its official website regarding the captaincy change, attributing a statement to him that he did not utter.
Following the captaincy debacle, Afridi has emphasised the importance of Shaheen focusing solely on his cricketing skills. Afridi disclosed that he had always been hesitant about Shaheen taking on the captaincy role, citing his belief that it often did not bode well for players, including himself.
"I want Shaheen to focus on his own cricket. I always tried to keep Shaheen away from captaincy," Afridi said in a statement as quoted from Geo News.
Shaheen's appointment to the T20I captaincy was primarily based on his outstanding performances in the
Pakistan Super League
(PSL), where he led
Lahore Qalandars
to consecutive title victories in 2022 and 2023, showcasing exemplary leadership qualities and cricketing acumen.
The decision to reinstate Azam as captain was described by the PCB as a "strategic move" aimed at prioritising player well-being and ensuring optimal performance. With Azam back at the helm, Pakistan aims to strengthen their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is just two months away.
Azam's leadership proved instrumental in Pakistan's journey to the final of the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. Now, as the tournament shifts to the USA and West Indies, Pakistan is determined to build on that success and strive for greater achievements under his guidance.
Pakistan find itself in Group A of the T20 World Cup, where they will face formidable opponents such as India, Ireland, Canada, and the USA.
The much-anticipated clash against India is scheduled to take place in New York on June 9, adding to the excitement surrounding the tournament.
(With ANI inputs)
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