A change in the PCB hierarchy led to a leadership transition when Babar Azam was named as the team’s captain by recently appointed board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Following the national team’s disastrous performance in the ODI World Cup in India last year, Babar Azam resigned from his position as all-format captain, while Shaheen Afridi assumed leadership of the T20I squad.
Shaheen Afridi led the Pakistan national team in just one international series, a T20I series that ended in a 4-1 loss to New Zealand, therefore his time as captain was brief.
In a statement, the PCB stated that their resolve to efficiently control player workloads and maintain optimal performance levels was the driving force behind this choice.
The board recognizes that players, particularly important ones like Shaheen Afridi, need to rotate and have enough rest in order to prolong their careers in the game.
The statement read, “The board recognizes the importance of rotation and rest to maintain Shaheen Afridi’s peak performance, even though he has unquestionably proven himself as a star fast bowler, leading Pakistan’s pace attack over the years.”
The PCB went on to say that this choice is in accordance with the board’s commitment to preserving players’ longevity, particularly fast bowlers considering their recent history of injuries.
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The board hopes that by designating Babar Azam as the new captain, Pakistan’s key bowlers will stay in top shape and be prepared to make an impression when needed.
“It was an absolute honour to captain the Pakistan National Cricket Team,” Shaheen Shah Afridi said in a statement. It is my responsibility as a team player to support Babar Azam, our captain.
“I have nothing but respect for him because I have played under his captaincy. My goal is to support him both on and off the field. We are all one. Our goal remains the same: to assist Pakistan in becoming the world’s greatest team,” he stated.