(AP Photo)
Pakistan’s prominent fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has allegedly turned down the opportunity to serve as the national team’s vice-captain for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Pakistan’s standout fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has apparently refused the offer to become the national team’s vice-captain ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, sparking rumors about a tense relationship between Afridi and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB selection committee initially intended to appoint Afridi as Babar Azam’s second-in-command for the high-profile tournament. However, the 24-year-old pacer declined the role, leaving the team currently without an officially designated vice-captain.
This development occurs only weeks after Afridi was stripped of the T20 captaincy following his leadership in just one series. Despite Afridi publicly expressing that he had moved past the incident, it is thought that he still harbors feelings of unfairness regarding the situation.
The PCB also contemplated appointing Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan for the vice-captaincy position.
Sources indicate that Afridi felt the rationale behind his dismissal as captain was never adequately communicated to him. After being unceremoniously removed from a leadership position, he was hesitant to quickly accept another role.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously suggested that Afridi might be replaced as captain, prompting a public statement from the board that included remarks attributed to Afridi, which he subsequently denied making.
Afridi, being a key player in Pakistan’s T20 team, declining an official leadership role is a notable event. The PCB reportedly considered other candidates, such as Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan, but ultimately chose not to appoint an official vice-captain at this time.
The team led by Babar Azam is currently engaged in a four-match T20I series against England in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Additionally, the PCB has recently revealed the 15-member squad for the major tournament, which begins on June 1.
Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup 2024:
Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
