Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has reportedly declined the offer to become the national team’s vice-captain ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The decision has raised speculations about the strained relationship between Afridi and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the PCB selection committee had initially planned to name Afridi as Babar Azam’s deputy for the marquee event. However, the 24-year-old speedster rejected the offer, leaving the squad without an officially appointed vice-captain for the time being.
The development comes just weeks after Afridi was removed from the T20 captaincy after leading Pakistan in just one series. While he had publicly moved on from the incident, it is believed that a sense of injustice remains within the talented pacer.
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PCB also considered Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan for the role
Sources suggest that Afridi felt the reasons for his dismissal as captain were never properly explained to him. Having been freely removed from one leadership position, he was reluctant to immediately take on another role.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had earlier hinted at Afridi’s potential replacement as captain, leading to a public statement from the board that contained comments regarding Afridi, which he later refused to have made.
As one of the core members of Pakistan’s T20 side, Afridi’s refusal to take on an official leadership role is a significant development. The PCB had reportedly considered other alternatives, including Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan, but ultimately decided against appointing an official vice-captain for now.
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The Babar Azam-led side are playing a four-match T20I series against England ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. PCB also recently announced the 15-member squad for the marquee event starting from June 01.
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