On Saturday (May 25), a fresh controversy hit Pakistan cricket as there were several reports suggesting something related to the team’s selection for the T20 World Cup 2024. It was learned that Shaheen Afridi was asked to take over the vice-captaincy. of the team but he turned it down because he said he wasn’t interested.
However, in a massive turn of events, as per Cricbuzz reports, it emerged that Pakistan’s selection committee was not interested in naming the team’s vice-captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The selectors discussed it but felt it was not necessary to appoint Babar Azam’s deputy.
A source close to Pakistan cricket revealed that the team’s vice-captaincy for the T20 World Cup was discussed. But they didn’t offer the role to any player. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he stated:
“The issue of vice-captaincy was discussed during Friday’s selection committee meeting, but it was agreed that there was no need to recommend a vice-captaincy. Therefore, no offer of vice-captaincy was made to any player. This is documented as It is part of the minutes of the meeting.”
Reports also claimed that only Mohammad Yousuf of the selection committee was in favor of appointing a vice-captain, the rest of the members did not agree. Therefore, the committee with the majority and therefore the idea was abandoned.
Although reports claimed that there were no talks with Shaheen Afridi, it was also learned that if there were private talks between Afridi and a member of the selection committee, it must have been outside the purview of the selection committee.
Pakistan’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup was selected after a two-hour selection committee meeting in Birmingham. The meeting was attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Yousuf and Wahab Riaz. Razzaq, Asad and Bilal joined the meeting via video conference.
Head coach Gary Kirsten to appoint vice-captain as temporary arrangement
Reports also claim that Shaheen Afridi is struggling with the ignominy of being snubbed as team captain. The left-arm pacer was appointed team leader after the ICC World Cup Cup 2023. However, he did not get the longest rope, as he was only given one series to prove his worth as a leader.
Shaheen Afridi in his first series as captain suffered a 4-1 drubbing against New Zealand. However, the series turned out to be his last, as he was later removed as team captain and Babar Azam was reappointed as team captain.
It is learned that the selectors have now given the open hand to head coach Gary Kirsten to nominate a vice-captain as a temporary arrangement in case of unforeseen circumstances where Babar is unable to take the field. So far, Mohammad Rizwan looks like a good candidate to take over.