‘Rizwan Was the Best Choice’ – Shahid Afridi Slams PCB for Handing Over Pakistan Captaincy to Babar Azam Again

The retired Pakistani all-rounder, who is also Shaheen Shah Afridi’s father-in-law, lambasted the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to reappoint Babar Azam as the white ball cricket captain.

Shahid Afridi suggests that Mohammad Rizwan would have been a more appropriate candidate to lead Pakistan, rather than returning the captaincy to Babar Azam if the aim was to replace Shaheen Afridi.

Shaheen Afridi’s tenure as captain of the Pakistan T20 team lasted only one series, during which Pakistan suffered a 1-4 defeat against New Zealand. Following his removal by the board, the team has reverted to Babar Azam as captain.

Taking to X [Formerly Twitter], here’s what Shahid Afridi wrote:

“I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam.”

This also means that Babar Azam will once again lead the Pakistan cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be played in the USA and the West Indies in June.