'Shaheen should have been given some more time' - Former PCB chief Zaka Ashraf lashes out at committee on captaincy shift

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf has come hard at the governing board for replacing Shaheen Afridi as white-ball captain with Babar Azam. It is worth noting that after Pakistan’s disastrous run at the World Cup 2023, Babar was made to relinquish captaincy. Subsequently, Afridi was named as the T20I captain for the side. The team displayed a dismal performance under him as they lost the T20I series against New Zealand by 4-1. 

There were rumours surrounding the pacer's stay as a captain after his team's subpar performance in the Pakistan Super League 2024. Lahore Qalandars ended their 2024 campaign with the last position in PSL 2024. With the winds of change in the PCB position intensifying and a desire for a leadership change, Babar was restored as the captain. Zaka Ashraf has asserted that Afridi deserved more time as skipper, at least a year to prove his potential.

Also Read: I offered to retain Babar Azam as the captain for red-ball cricket: Zaka Ashraf

"Shaheen should have been given some more time, at least one year, so that his performance [as skipper] could be analysed before taking any decision in this connection. We wanted to keep Babar as Test captain but he gave up the captaincy of all formats; it was his own [Babar's] decision," said Ashraf as quoted by The Daily Star. 

"However, now as the PCB has brought Babar back [as captain] as a Pakistani I can have best wishes for the national team. The national selection committee should have representation from all the provinces," he added.

Also Read: Shaheen Shah Afridi leaves training camp in Kakul after losing T20I captaincy

Mohsin Naqi announces seven-member national selection committee

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced seven members national selection committee. Out of seven members, the five members are — Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, Babar Azam, and analyst Bilal Azhar — they are highly acclaimed former cricketers from Lahore. Former Pakistan batter Asad Shafiq is the lone member who hails from Karachi.