PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi signals change in Pakistan's T20I captaincy

Shaheen Afridi might have to relinquish what was a short-term captaincy stint as the Pakistan Cricket Board has hinted at a change in captaincy position. Mohsin Naqvi, when asked about Afridi’s continuation as skipper of Pakistan declined any confirmation. He inversely said that the newly appointed selectors will determine the name of the T20I skipper.

Afridi’s ability as captain was subjected to intense scrutiny as his outing in New Zealand was nothing but disastrous. After taking reigns from Babar Azam in November, he has captained the side in just one series against Kiwis in their home. Pakistan went on to lose the series by a 4-1 margin and nearly avoided a whitewash. To add further woes for the pacer’s captaincy stint, his Pakistan Super League side Lahore Qalandars managed only win in the 10 games they were featured in. 

"Even I don't know who the captain will be. Whether Shaheen continues or a new captain comes in will be determined after the fitness camp [starting on Monday]. There are a number of technical factors we will consider, the details of which I do not want to go into. We want a long-term solution, whether it's Shaheen or a new man. And then we intend to stick by that man, instead of just changing a captain just because you lose a match or captain," Naqvi said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Also Read: PCB dissolves selection committee ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan Cricket under severe turbulence

Amidst turbulence in Pakistan cricket, the PCB will name 27 players from the team who will be training with the military in Kakul. Kakul is Pakistan's renowned military training centre and the accorded player will be spending 10 days there. PCB has refused to come up with a decision on the potential changes in the Pakistan team until the training cedes.

If Afridi is made to step down as the captain, this move would be the third change in the leadership role of the national team within five months. Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, who was reluctant to vacate the leader's spot in the team, had to bow out after a disastrous World Cup 2023 outing. Moreover, he had to experiment with his cherished opener’s position in the playing XI owing to management’s pressure.