Pakistan’s new ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has revealed that he accepted the captaincy only after his predecessor Mohammad Rizwan decided to step down.
“I took this responsibility from the Pakistan Cricket Board after discussing the matter with Rizwan,” Shaheen informed the media on Monday.
Shaheen elaborated that Rizwan was the sole person he consulted before accepting the role. He inquired about Rizwan’s feelings regarding the change, and Rizwan chose to make way for him, thus facilitating the transition.
“Rizwan was the only person I had a discussion with and I asked him how he felt about me accepting the captaincy. Rizwan decided himself he would make way for me and that is how things worked out,” he said.
Previously appointed as Pakistan’s national T20 captain in 2023, Shaheen was removed after just one series in New Zealand. He had succeeded Babar Azam, who resigned following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023. However, Shaheen’s stint as T20I captain lasted less than six months, with Babar reinstated in the role. During his brief tenure, Shaheen led the team in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
