(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi has expressed his opinion on the need for stability within the Pakistan cricket team. Afridi advocated for the appointment of a single captain across all formats, emphasizing the importance of providing clarity and a strong leadership message to the players.
Following the ODI World Cup in 2023, Pakistan underwent a phase of restructuring after star batter Babar Azam resigned from his captaincy role across all formats. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) subsequently named Shan Masood as the Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I skipper. However, the captaincy for ODIs remains undisclosed by the board.
Afridi, aged 46, firmly believes that Pakistan should unify its leadership by appointing one captain for all formats. He also argued against the need for a vice-captain, asserting that a sole captaincy figure would send a clear message to all players regarding their roles and responsibilities.
“The PCB must have one captain for all formats and there is no need to have a vice-captain. This will give a clear message to all players who are in charge,” Afridi said as quoted by NDTV.
In addition to his stance on captaincy, Afridi suggested a patient approach towards Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistan team director, urging stakeholders not to judge him solely based on side’s performance in recent tours to Australia and New Zealand. He cautioned against making hasty changes in the team’s composition and leadership structure, emphasizing the importance of continuity and trust in the players’ abilities.
“If you think Mohammad Hafeez is good then don’t just judge him on one series give him proper time and the same should apply to the captain as well he should be there for three years. The World T20 Cup is going to be a very tough tournament this year with some very strong teams in the hunt for the title. I also don’t think this is the time to make any changes in the format squad.”
In closing, Afridi expressed his preference for specific player combinations, suggesting Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub as the ideal opening pair in T20 cricket.
“We just need to continue with the same group of players and give them confidence. But yes I would like to see Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub open the batting in T20s,” Afridi concluded.