The Pakistan Cricket Board have issued a statement in response to reports that Shaheen Shah Afridi refused to be vice-captain of the national side, saying that “it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone”.
There has been significant upheaval in the Pakistan team leadership in recent months, with Babar Azam sacked as captain following the 2023 World Cup, before then replacing his successor Shaheen as T20I skipper after one series in charge.
A report on ESPNcricinfo alleged that Shaheen had been offered the vice-captaincy of the Pakistan side, but turned it down, with no deputy to Babar named in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Shaheen has made his unhappiness with the PCB clear before, objecting to a statement in support of Babar being attributed to him in a media release, leading to crisis talks between him and Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman. The organisation have moved to quell any suggestion of further unrest, asserting that, while discussions over the vice-captaincy were held, it was the decision of the selection committee not to name a second-in-command.
“During Friday’s selection committee meeting, discussions on the vice-captaincy took place,” the PCB said in a statement on X. “However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offer was made to any player. The side is fully united, committed and keenly looking forward to the upcoming matches in the UK and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.”
During Friday's selection committee meeting, discussions on the vice-captaincy took place. However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offer was made to any player. The side is fully united, committed and keenly looking forward to the upcoming matches…
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 25, 2024
Pakistan are looking to build on successive impressive T20 World Cup campaigns, having been beaten semi-finalists and finalists in 2021 and 2022 respectively. However, their recent form has been uninspiring. They were beaten 4-1 in New Zealand at the start of the year before drawing 2-2 against the same side back in Pakistan, albeit with the Black Caps significantly under-strength. They then lost the first T20I against Ireland before rebounding to claim a series win, and today (May 25) went 1-0 down to England in their final pre-T20 World Cup series.
