In a clarifying move, Pakistan’s newly reappointed white-ball captain, Babar Azam, has come forward to address speculations about his relationship with teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi in light of recent leadership adjustments within the national team. This development follows close on the heels of a reshuffle in captaincy roles by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which reinstated Babar at the helm and concluded Shaheen’s brief tenure as T20I skipper.
The speculations arose after Shaheen Afridi, having captained Pakistan in only one bilateral series against New Zealand earlier this year, was relieved of his T20I leadership responsibilities. The performance in that series left much to be desired from Pakistan as New Zealand dealt them a decisive blow, winning 4-1.
Babar Azam took the opportunity at a pre-match press conference in Rawalpindi, prior to the first T20I against New Zealand, to set the record straight. He emphatically stated that the camaraderie between him and Shaheen was longstanding and robust. “I want to make clear that Shaheen (Afridi) and my bond is not recent, it goes back a long way,” he declared to the attendees, emphasizing mutual support and dismissing questions of any rift. “We support each other in every situation. Our aim is to put Pakistan first, and how to put Pakistan’s name up in lights. We don’t think of individual glory, and thankfully, those elements are not present in my team.”
The backdrop of this unified stance can be traced to the PCB’s decision under chairman Mohsin Naqvi to restore Babar Azam as the captain for white-ball cricket. This swiftly unseated Shaheen Afridi, who could not replicate his stellar individual form while leading the side.
Moreover, Afridi, a key fast bowler for Pakistan, had a forgettable outing in the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Afridi’s franchise finished at the bottom, with only one triumph against eight losses. Yet, Afridi’s inclusion in the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand was vital, where he was expected to pair up with Mohammad Amir to deliver a potent fast-bowling attack.
The Pakistan squad bracing itself for the series included a mix of skill and potential. Alongside captain Babar Azam, the lineup featured talents like Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, and Zaman Khan.
While the exact nuances of team dynamics behind the scenes may not always be transparent, Babar Azam’s declaration is poised to project an image of a solid and united Pakistani team, aiming to vanquish past disappointments. As they faced New Zealand once again, the complexities of leadership and the pressures inherent in high-stakes international cricket were on full display. Nonetheless, the team’s success would ultimately hinge on their collective ability to prioritize national pride over individual accolades, harnessing the synergy of their captain and the once T20I leader, Shaheen Shah Afridi, as they stepped onto the field with a singular goal: victory for Pakistan.
