After the Pakistan Cricket Board decided on split captaincy with the resignation of Babar Azam as skipper, the former cricketer Shahid Afridi has suggested a single captain across all formats.
Shahid Afridi proposes single All-format captain
Former skipper Shahid Afridi has made a point against the split captaincy decision made by PCB by saying to adopt a policy of appointing a single captain across all formats to avoid conflicts over the leadership.
The issue started right after Babar Azam stepped down from captaincy following Pakistan’s poor performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan board has announced Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I skipper and Shan Masood to lead the side in Test format. “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,” Shahid said to PTI.
But the proposal of eliminating the Vice-captaincy position is unconventional, as every team does appoint a deputy to lead the side if the captain is not available.
During Babar Azam’s reign, Shadab Khan was his deputy in the T20I format, while Shan Masood was the deputy for the 50-over format. It is varied due to inconsistent performances.
Afridi backed the team director Mohammad Hafeez, and suggested that contracts should last long for three years.
“If you think Muhammad 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,” said Afridi.
Hafeez took charge during the side’s 3-0 loss in Pakistan’s Australia tour. The series also featured Shan Masood’s tenure as skipper in the longest format.
With the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 set to begin in June, Afridi wants the management to provide a consistent run to the players in contention for a spot in the tournament.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Pakistan has four T20Is against England to be played before the Marquee event. They will be playing their first Test on May 22, 2024, at Headingley Carnegie.
