PCB reappoint Babar Azam as T20I skipper; Shaheen Afridi sacked

In one of the most shocking u-turns in recent history, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have reappointed Babar Azam as the skipper of the Men’s national T20 side two months ahead of the T20 World Cup, sacking Shaheen Afridi, who was appointed in November last year.

Babar was Pakistan’s skipper across formats six months ago, but quit captaincy from all three formats post an unsuccessful 50-over World Cup campaign that saw the Men in Green fail to make it to the semi-finals. In the aftermath of Babar’s resignation, the PCB appointed Shaheen as the side’s T20 skipper.

However, Shaheen’s tenure has ended up lasting just five games as the fast bowler has been replaced as skipper by Babar.

“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team,” the PCB said in a statement.

Shaheen led Pakistan in the five-match series against New Zealand in January, which turned out to be a very unsuccessful tour for the Men in Green. They ended up getting walloped 4-1. 

Meanwhile last month, Shaheen’s Lahore Qalandars side finished bottom of the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), shockingly winning just one game in ten. 

Babar, meanwhile, has also been reappointed Pakistan’s ODI skipper. PCB never named a replacement but the 29-year-old resigned as ODI captain in the aftermath of the 2023 World Cup.