PCB sack Shaheen Afridi from captaincy; reappoint Babar Azam as Pakistan's white-ball captain ahead of T20 World Cup

After putting up a poor show as a captain against New Zealand and in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to sack Shaheen Afrida from captaincy. Pakistan played a five-match series against New Zealand where they lost the series, 1-4. Hence, the Board has reappointed Babar Azam as the captain for white-ball cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Moreover, not just in the T20I series against New Zealand, Shaheen's captaincy was below par during the PSL as well which provoked the Board to take a stern decision. 

Previously, Babar stepped down from captaincy after having an average ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. Babar was Pakistan's captain across all the formats of the game. However, post that, Shaheen was given the white ball captaincy, while Shan Masood was handed the Test match captaincy. 

Just two months before the T20 World Cup, PCB's decision has drawn criticism from fans and cricket experts as the constant changes in captaincy are affecting the players and the team environment. Meanwhile, Babar's upcoming assignment is a 5-match T20I series against New Zealand. 

'Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball captain...' - PCB announces captaincy news on X

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took to Twitter to announce the news of captaincy on Sunday. Keeping the upcoming T20 World Cup in mind, they have decided to bring back Babar Azam as the captain. Moroever, a source revealed Babar's intention of getting the Test match captaincy as well. However, the Board kept their stance regarding the Test captaincy and asked Babar to focus on white-ball cricket for the time being. 

"Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team," tweeted PCB on X.