The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finds itself in crisis mode as conflicting reports emerge regarding the leadership transition within the national team, with replaced captain Shaheen Shah Afridi denying statements attributed to him endorsing new skipper Babar Azam.
Following the disappointing performance at last year’s World Cup, which led to Azam’s removal as captain, the PCB reinstated him as the white-ball captain, replacing Afridi after a brief five-month tenure.
In a statement released by the PCB on Sunday, Afridi was quoted as expressing his support for Azam’s return, stating, “I will try to help him on and off the field. We are all one.”
However, a source close to Afridi refuted these claims, asserting that Afridi had not approved the statement and expressed resentment over his abrupt replacement after leading the team for just one Twenty20 series.
“This is not Shaheen’s statement, and he has contacted PCB to clarify this,” the source informed AFP, adding that Afridi intends to meet with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday to address the discrepancy.
While the PCB confirmed Naqvi’s visit to the Pakistan team’s training session in Kakul on Monday, no mention was made of Afridi’s involvement in the discussions.
Afridi’s leadership saw Pakistan suffer a 4-1 defeat in a Twenty20 Series against New Zealand in January, further compounded by Lahore Qalandars’ poor performance in the T20 Pakistan Super League, where they finished at the bottom of the table.
Pakistan’s upcoming schedule includes a five-match home Twenty20 series against New Zealand, followed by fixtures in Ireland and England, leading up to the T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the United States and the West Indies.
As the PCB grapples with internal discord and leadership uncertainties, the national team faces crucial preparations ahead of significant international competitions, highlighting the urgency for resolution amidst the turmoil.
