Xtra Time Web Desk: Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, expressed surprise on social media regarding the decision made by the selection committee to reinstate Babar Azam as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball teams. The decision came as Shaheen Afridi, Shahid Afridi’s son-in-law, was relieved of his captaincy duties, allowing Babar Azam to reclaim leadership just months before the T20 World Cup.
This shift occurred following changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board administration, with the new executive committee, headed by Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi, reinstating Babar Azam after his previous resignation post the disappointing performance of Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023, in India. Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy stint was brief, spanning only one series – a 4-1 defeat in a T20I series in New Zealand – after he assumed the T20I captaincy last year, while Shan Masood took charge of the Test team.
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Despite Mohammad Rizwan not being considered for the Pakistan T20I captaincy, Shahid Afridi advocated for him as the ideal candidate to lead Pakistan in the shortest format of the game.
He took his official X handle and expressed his surprised: I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam.’
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