KARACHI: Former Pakistan Cricket Team captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has come out in support of Shaheen Shah Afridi amid news surrounding his future as the T20I captain of the national cricket team.
Earlier a few months before, Shaheen Afridi stepped in as captain of the T20I national side, after Babar Azam stepped down as skipper of the team following a dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
However, Shaheen also took a poor start as captain with a five-match series loss against New Zealand in January this year as the guest side faced a 1-4 series defeat under the leadership of the left-arm fast bowler.
In addition, the 23-year-old Afridi faced further pressure when met an early exit from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine while finishing at the bottom of the table. He however managed to win the title twice in the years 2022 and 2023.
The dismal exit from the PSL. Created speculation about the replacement of Afridi as skipper in the T20I format.
In addition, the newly-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said in a statement that the new selection committee would decide about any change in the team including the leadership.
In another development on Thursday, the PCB Chairman also met with the maestro batter and former captain Babar Azam as media reported the meeting also focused on changes in the team including captaincy.
Shahid Afridi Backs Shaheen Afridi
However, the former chief selector and father-in-law of the junior Afridi, Boom Boom Afridi threw his weight behind Shaheen adding that any individual when picked as captain should be given proper time so he could prove his abilities.
“I think that if you have appointed someone as captain (Shaheen) and given him the responsibility then give him time as well,” Afridi told media the other day.
