The peculiar instance of Shaheen’s removal from captaincy

Although Babar Azam is back in the saddle, the star batsman for Pakistan is unlikely to have an easy time guiding the white-ball team. To make matters worse, Shaheen Afridi, his leader, is not happy. They predicted Afride to keep his leadership after leading Pakistan in the T20I series against New Zealand earlier. Curiously, though, Babar will lead the next Twenty20 World Cup in the US and the West Indies.

Shaheen has only led Pakistan in five Twenty20 Internationals while the selectors are trailing the players. Despite the unfavorable 1-4 outcome against Pakistan, the board dismissed him after leading the team for just one series.

In Pakistani cricket, leadership changes are seldom easy to implement, and this time is no exception. There are several theories regarding the possible political motivations for Shaheen’s dismissal as Twenty20 captain. Afridi’s loyalty to the previous government could have been the last straw since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is now led by new chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He is reportedly backed by the nation’s current leadership. The choice may have been influenced by Afridi’s close ties to the former political administration, according to rumors, underscoring the close ties between Pakistani politics and cricket.

“In Pakistani cricket, it is always the case. The new chairman replaces the skipper. It’s been this way since Imran’s time. Speaking about the subject Rashid Latif said Javed Miandad arrived after Imran.

Next in line were Waqar Younis Moeen Khan Ramiz Raja Salim Malik Wasim Akram Saeed Anwar and Amir Sohail. I was there as well in between. The list continues with the arrival of Inzaman Ul Haq, Mohammad Yusuf, Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, and others. Shaheen shouldn’t have to lose his leadership, but that’s the situation as it stands. Most of the time, the captaincy is switched on a new chairman.”

 

Prior to Shaheen’s appointment as the team’s captain, Lahore Qalandars received accolades from former Pakistan captain and prime leader Imran Khan. The pacer even went to visit the Prime leader at the time.

Yes, Imran Khan did express gratitude for our choice to name Shaheen the Lahore Qalandars captain. He also expressed his belief that fast bowlers make better captains in cricket than batsmen because they are naturally more aggressive and goal-oriented,” Sameen Rana, the Qalandars’ owner, said about their meeting with Imran. “He also advised Shaheen to stick to his current course of action and never alter it. Shaheen, in his opinion, had the capacity to excel in the game.”

Should the dispute have transpired in broad daylight, the PCB cannot escape responsibility. It appears that they did not consult the player before the board released its statement. “Being the captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team was an incredible honor. As a team player, it is my duty to assist our captain, Babar Azam. The PCB cited Shaheen as stating, “I have nothing but respect for him having played under his captaincy.”

According to reports, the athlete has refuted making such a claim. There have been rumors that he wants to discuss the issue with the PCB chairman. The PCB posted a photo of them shaking hands after they met in Kakul, where the squad is participating in a fitness program while the Pakistani army watched them. However, it might only be a tense ceasefire.

The PCB chairman met the recently appointed selectors and Babar. The board will choose the team for Pakistan’s next five-match home series against New Zealand in the next round. Before the World Cup, the team will play a few matches in Ireland and England. There will be a great curiosity to see how they portray Shaheen in all of this.