Give Him Time,Shahid Afridi Backs Shaheen Afridi Amid T20I Captaincy Uncertainty
Former Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi has come out in support of Shaheen Shah Afridi amid uncertainty surrounding his future as the T20I captain of the national cricket team. Shaheen took over the captaincy from Babar Azam following Pakistan’s dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
However, Shaheen’s captaincy tenure began with a challenging five-match away series against New Zealand, resulting in a 4-1 series defeat for Pakistan. The struggles continued in the Pakistan Super League season nine, where Lahore Qalandars, under Shaheen’s leadership, won only one out of 10 matches and finished at the bottom of the table.
The poor performance raised questions about Shaheen Afridi’s suitability as T20I captain, prompting speculation about his potential replacement. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi addressed the situation, indicating that the new selection committee would have the final say on the team’s leadership.
In contrast, former chief selector Shahid Afridi stood firmly behind Shaheen, advocating for patience and giving him ample time to prove himself as captain. Afridi emphasized the importance of continuity and avoiding hasty decisions regarding leadership changes.
Additionally, Afridi weighed in on the retirement reversals of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, advising them to prioritize fitness and focus on domestic cricket. He highlighted the wealth of experience they could bring to the national team setup, particularly in mentoring younger players.
In Afridi’s view, Wasim and Amir still have plenty to offer to Pakistani cricket, provided they demonstrate their fitness and commit to the domestic circuit. He stressed the invaluable role senior players like them can play in nurturing and guiding the next generation of cricketers.
