The U-turn in Pakistan's ODI and T20I captaincy has seemingly resulted in more controversy and has caused a stir. The PCB sacked Shaheen Afridi from the T20I captaincy and reappointed their former skipper Babar Azam to the role in the white-ball cricket.
PCB issued a press release and attributed Shaheen Afridi calling it his "duty" to back Babar in the captaincy. However as reported in ESPNCricinfo, Shaheen has not given the statements. PCB's press release quoted Shaheen saying, "It was an absolute honour to captain the Pakistan National Cricket Team. I will always cherish the memories and the opportunity. As a team player, it is my duty to back our captain, Babar Azam. I have played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I will try to help him on and off the field. We are all one. Our aim is the same, to help Pakistan become the best team in the world."
The report stated that is understood the outgoing skipper Shaheen has not provided those comments. The pacer was about to make a statement but the PCB has held talks with him and another round of talks with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will take place on Monday.
These developments are set to create more resentment in the camp. Shaheen's departure was hinted by the PCB chairman Naqvi when he did not back the pacer to continue in the role of the T20 skipper for a longer period. "Even I don't know who the captain will be. Whether Shaheen continues or a new captain comes in will be determined after the fitness camp (starting on Monday). There are a number of technical factors we will consider, the details of which I do not want to go into. We want a long-term solution, whether it's Shaheen or a new man. And then we intend to stick by that man, instead of just changing a captain just because you lose a match or captain," Naqvi had said recently.
PCB is in damage control mode and would be looking to find a way to turn things well in the camp.
