NEWS
Follow UsPakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has rejected Pakistan vice-captaincy role ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, according to a report on ESPNCricinfo. Pakistan announced their 15-member squad on May 24 (Saturday) but did not mention who Babar Azam's deputy would be.
Shaheen was stripped of his captaincy after just one series in charge - against New Zealand, in which Pakistan lost 4-1. Babar returned to the helm after he was sacked following Pakistan's disappointing show at the ODI World Cup in India.
Shadab Khan, the vice-captain of the side, was also considered for the role, but given his current form, he is not a certain starter. Mohammad Rizwan's name also came up in the discussion, but it is understood that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants to give the role to a younger member of the team.
Shaheen and PCB had reached a truce previously, but with the former turning down the vice-captaincy offer, it indicates that the pacer feels let down by the board, given that he was not given ample time as captain.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had put out a statement offering words of encouragement from Shaheen to Babar, but it was later refuted by the fast bowler, further indicating that all is not well between the players and the management.
Pakistan are currently in England, where they are in the middle of a four-match T20 International (T20I) series. The series concludes on May 30, after which Pakistan will head to the T20 World Cup to take on co-hosts USA in their opening game on June 6 in Dallas.
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