Shan Masood named Test captain, Shaheen Afridi takes charge in T20Is
Shan Masood has been named the Test captain by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Shaheen Afridi is in charge of leading the national squad in the Twenty20 format.
This news follows Babar Azam’s announcement on Wednesday that he would be leaving his post as captain of the national team across all formats. This announcement came after a disastrous World Cup campaign.
Presenting our captains 🇵🇰@shani_official has been appointed Test captain while @iShaheenAfridi will lead the T20I side. pic.twitter.com/wPSebUB60m
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 15, 2023
Shan, 34, has made appearances in 30 Test matches and amassed 1,597 runs, including four hundreds and seven half-centuries.
Shan will serve as captain through the conclusion of the 2023–25 ICC World Test Championship. Shan’s first task as captain will be to lead Australia in a three-match Test series that begins on December 14 in Australia.
Shaheen Shah, a left-arm bowler, will captain the Pakistan Men’s Team in the Twenty20 International format. His first task as captain will be to lead the team in a five-match T20I series in New Zealand from January 12 to January 21. In 52 Twenty20 Internationals, Shaheen, 23, has claimed 64 wickets.
In the PSL, Shaheen has also led Lahore Qalandars, helping the team win the competition twice in as many years, in the 2022 and 2023 editions.
After Pakistan underperformed at the Asia Cup and carried that form into the World Cup, where they were eliminated before making it to the semifinals, the former captain faced criticism for several months.
“I am leaving my position as Pakistan’s captain in all formats today. Though it’s a tough choice, I think now is [the] proper moment for this call,” Babar stated in a message posted on X, the old Twitter platform.
Babar made the significant revelation shortly after meeting Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. According to sources who spoke with Geo News, Babar was offered the opportunity to continue leading the squad in Test matches, but he declined.
Following the meeting, the PCB chief and Babar held a “cordial meeting” to address a number of topics, including the World Cup performance, according to an official statement.
The statement went on, “Babar was asked to continue as Test captain, but he has been relieved of captaincy in white-ball cricket so that he can concentrate on one format.”
Babar made the decision to resign after talking with his family, and PCB supports his choice, the PCB stated.
“PCB respects his choice and will always be a player for him.”
The cricket board wanted Babar to keep being a top player, according to Ashraf, who called Babar a truly world-class talent in the statement.
“He is among Pakistan’s greatest batters ever.” He is a resource for us, and we will always be there for him. His ability and dedication are demonstrated by his hitting prowess. For the current generation, he serves as an inspiration.
“We want to see him develop into a great batter, and now that he doesn’t have to worry about leading the team, he can concentrate more on improving his performances and hitting even higher notes. We honor his choice and will support him going forward,” the statement continued.
In 49 Test matches, Babar has made appearances and amassed 3,772 runs, including 26 half-centuries and nine hundreds.
The PCB has since modified the coaching staff’s mandate, including Director Cricket Mickey Arthur.
The PCB stated that all coaches will stay on staff at the National Cricket Academy and that they will announce the new coaching staff for the forthcoming series in Australia and New Zealand at a later date.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
