Pakistan’s recent series loss to Afghanistan in international cricket has sparked discussions about the team’s leadership, particularly regarding the vice-captaincy position held by Shadab Khan. During a press conference in the series, Shadab stated that “now everyone would have understood the importance of Babar and Rizwan,” which did not sit well with the board.
Officials from the board have expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance under Shadab’s leadership, citing some of his decisions as untimely and incorrect. While no final decision has been made to remove him from the vice-captaincy position, any such decision will be based solely on cricketing grounds.
Shadab has also faced challenges in his role as captain, as the selectors did not take his opinion into account when choosing the squad. Additionally, he was informed late about the captaincy transition. Despite this, Shadab believes that the defeat should not be solely attributed to him.
Shan Masood, who previously served as vice-captain in the home series against New Zealand, is not being considered for the vice-captaincy position this time. He prefers to focus on his game rather than take on the responsibility of leadership. Imad Wasim is supported by a senior figure in the board, but Babar Azam reportedly does not approve of him due to differences during the Pakistan Super League.
Former Test wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has voiced his concern about the confusion surrounding the captaincy in the Pakistan cricket team at present. He believes that the PCB should take steps to resolve the issue quickly, such as appointing a captain until the World Cup when announcing the squad for the New Zealand series.
Latif has also commented on the vice-captaincy position, stating that it is not of significant importance. He believes that the PCB should focus on selecting the best possible captain and not worry too much about who serves as vice-captain.
Sources suggest that Shaheen Shah Afridi is a strong candidate for the vice-captaincy position due to his success in leading Lahore Qalandars to victory in the PSL for two consecutive years. However, the current situation regarding the team’s captaincy is uncertain, with many players being considered for the position.
Babar Azam, the current captain of the Pakistan cricket team, is reportedly unhappy with the current state of affairs. However, he has not expressed his concerns publicly to avoid creating conflict. The situation remains fluid, and the PCB has yet to make any final decisions regarding the leadership positions in the team.
