Pakistan Speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to captain Pakistan in the T20I series against Afghanistan. Senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab Khan are likely to be rested for the series. All three will return for the series against New Zealand.
The idea behind this move is to give young cricketers a chance and to build the team for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
It is excepted that the National Selection Committee Chairman Haroon Rasheed will announce the squad in the next few days. A three-match T20 series is scheduled between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the UAE this month after the Pakistan Super League’s eighth edition.
Pakistan Cricket Board will give opportunities to the new players performing brilliantly in the ongoing PSL.
According to reports, Players like Azam Khan, Imad Wasim, Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, and Osama Mir will be given chance in the Pakistan T20 side due to their exceptional performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Current Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, has been facing criticism regarding his captaincy after he failed to win a single Test at home against England and New Zealand. Many former cricketers want Babar Azam to give up his leadership role in one format and want Shadab Khan to take over T20 captaincy. Shadab is the vice-captain of Pakistan in the limited overs format and has been in terrific form for Pakistan over the past few years.
Stats Are Great, But It Has To Be Team First – Simon Doull Slams Babar Azam’s Batting Approach
Former New Zealand Pacer Simon Doull, who is doing commentary in PSL 8, made a huge statement after Peshawar Zalmi lost the match. Doull criticized Babar for his slow knock towards the end of the innings to get to his hundred
“Rather than putting the team first… the last little while, that’s all that been happening. Rather than looking for boundaries, still, so much firepower to come. Hundreds are brilliant, stats are great, but it has to be team first,” said the Ex-New Zealand pacer during his commentary stint.