'Afridi can take Pakistan cricket in the right direction' - Aaqib Javed wants Shaheen Afridi to lead Pakistan's T20I side

Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi will be making his comeback in the national side for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand, starting on April 14, Friday. Afridi last played for Pakistan in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, where he bowled a spell of 1/13 in 2.1 overs to keep his side in the game before leaving the field after sustaining a knee injury while taking a catch on the boundary.

He marked his return to the cricket pitch in the Pakistan Super League season 8, where he led his side Lahore Qalandars to a successful title defence and became the first captain to achieve the feat in PSL history. Praising the 23-year-old seamer, Qalandars’ coach Aaqib Javed has proposed the idea of giving him the captaincy of the T20I side.

“Shaheen did what none of the captains in PSL have done so far. He won back-to-back PSL titles. The way he carries the team and his style of working is commendable," Javed was quoted as saying by The News.

The 50-year-old further said that Afridi is the best person to take Pakistan Cricket in the right direction.

"Even if you bring Shadab, regardless of the format, I don't see any variations or changes — particularly an aggressive change. Or if you bring in Rizwan, there won't be any apparent culture change. If someone can amp up Pakistan cricket and take it in the right direction, that is Shaheen Shah Afridi," he added.

The former fast bowler also suggested that Babar Azam should continue as captain in Test and ODI formats and Shaheen should lead the T20I side keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2024.

Shaheen's approach is positive, and he plays fearless cricket: Aaqib Javed

"Babar should stay as the captain in Test and one-day formats. Shaheen should lead the national side as a captain, keeping in mind ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Shaheen's approach is positive, and he plays fearless cricket. I think he should lead the T20 side as the captain and Babar should continue in the Tests and ODI sides," Aaqib Javed asserted.

Shaheen Afridi was seen in incredible form in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League as he scored 133 runs at a strike rate of 168.35 and grabbed 19 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 21.15. The southpaw will be eager to replicate his performance at the international level as well and make a sensational comeback in the side.

Pakistan and New Zealand will first lock horns in a five-match T20I series starting on April 14, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.