The Pakistan Cricket Board has given reasons for removing fast bowler Shaheen Afridi from the captaincy.
PCB has appointed Babar Azam as the captain of the white ball team. He has previously led Pakistan in 43 ODIs and 71 T20 Internationals between 2019 and 2023.
Shaheen Afridi was made the captain of the T20 team after Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy after the defeat in the World Cup last year, but now PCB has appointed Babar Azam as the captain of the white ball team.
A statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board said that as part of a strategic move aimed at ensuring high performance of the players, the PCB has changed the leadership of the white ball. Babar Azam, famous for his outstanding batting record in international cricket, will take over the captaincy from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Shaheen Afridi has undoubtedly proven himself to be a star fast bowler and has led Pakistan’s pace attack for many years, the PCB said, adding that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is committed to maintaining his excellence. Understands the importance of rotation and rest. This decision is in line with the board’s determination to protect the players from injuries and to protect fast bowlers in particular.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has said that the decision is to ensure that PCB’s key bowlers stay on top of their game, keeping in mind the workload management.
According to the PCB, the board does not want the national team to suffer from an injury crisis in terms of bowling resources as seen before the ICCT Twenty20 World Cup 2022 where Shaheen had to be looked after and the ICC In the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, when the team did not have the services of Naseem Shah.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has thanked Shaheen Afridi for his contribution as captain and hoped that both Babar and Shaheen will play an effective role in taking the Pakistan team to the top.