In what has been the latest development according to Pakistani media reports, it emerged that fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was offered the role of vice-captain ahead of the announcement of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. Left arm pacemaker was not interested in this and rejected the offer.
Shaheen Afridi has been in the headlines for a while now due to the captaincy saga that has been going on in Pakistan Cricket. After the Men in Green debacle in the ICC World Cup 2023, they had a massive change in the leadership and management department across all three formats.
Babar Azam was removed as captain and Shaheen Afridi was allowed to lead the team in the T20Is. But he didn’t get the long run. The left-arm pacer was given just one series to prove that he was the captain of the team and nothing went right after that.
Under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan cricket team lost the T20I series against New Zealand, and after that, the fast bowler was removed as captain of the team. Pakistan Cricket Board’s new president Mohsin Naqvi reappointed Babar Azam as team captain.
This did not go down well with many Pakistan Cricket pundits and fans as they lashed out at the PCB for mistreating the fast bowlers. Even Shaheen Afridi seemed disappointed when he shared several cryptic posts, but then declared that he would extend his full support to Babar Azam.
The Pakistan team recently appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the team’s vice-captain. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been fantastic as a leader in the Pakistan Super League and his captaincy style has also been praised by many and there were even calls to give him the leadership.
However, it is learned that before offering him the position of vice-captain of the team, Shaheen Afridi was offered the same but he rejected the position. He did not accept that role and stated that he was not interested in the vice-captaincy of the team for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Pakistan recently announced the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. They are currently facing England in the four-match T20I series, ahead of the tournament. The series will be a great opportunity for them to get their right tournament combination and meet all the requirements.
Here is Pakistan’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
Pakistan is placed in Group A with India, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts the United States. They will open their campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup against the United States on June 6 in Dallas. After that, they will play India in their second match on June 9 in New York.