Shaheen likely to replace Babar as captain for Afghanistan T20Is
Azam and Rizwan could be rested for the series
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to replace Babar Azam as captain for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, according to sources.
Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are likely to rested for the series, the sources added.
Meanwhile, batters Saim Ayub, Haseebullah Khan and Azam Khan along with pacer Ihsanullah are also likely to get the nod from the selectors for the series. All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim are also in contention for selection.
It must be noted that the schedule of the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan was revised on Thursday.
Earlier, the matches were set to be played on March 25, 27 and 29 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. However, they will now take place on March 24, 26 and 27.
"Afghanistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board have jointly agreed to make slight tweaks to the itinerary of Afghanistan’s home three-match T2OI series against Pakistan. The start of the series is brought forward by a day and will now start on March 24, with the last two games to be played on March 26 and 27 in Sharjah, UAE," ACB said in a statement.
"The changes in itinerary are made due to the unavailability of the Hawk-Eye Technology for the previously agreed upon dates. The two boards have agreed upon the changes in itinerary to ensure all the necessary broadcast technologies are available for the inaugural T20I series between the two sides," it added.
Additionally, former Pakistan cricketer Muhammad Yousuf is set to be named as the interim head coach of the national men’s team for the series against Afghanistan.
The decision is likely to be taken because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was not able to finalise the agreement for role of head coach with Mickey Arthur.
The PCB had earlier confirmed that it has been in talks with former national team head coach Arthur with a view to appointing him as the head coach to guide the side through to the ACC Asia Cup, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
However, owing to Arthur's long-term contract with Derbyshire, PCB have also discussed a proposal to act as a consultant to the team on a time-sharing basis with Derbyshire.
It must be noted that the New Zealand series was the last assignment for head coach Saqlain Mushtaq and bowling coach Shaun Tait, since their contract expired in February, 2023.
Earlier, Yousuf’s appointment, who was previously serving as the batting coach of the team, was determined on a series-to-series basis under the Ramiz Raja-led administration. His permanent role is the batting coach of the National High Performance Centre (NHPC) in Lahore.
Initially, both teams were supposed to play a three-match ODI series this year, instead of T20Is, but, since Pakistan and Afghanistan have already qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, the format was changed after meeting between Sethi and ACB officials.
"I met with the executive members of Afghanistan Cricket Board and they were asking us to play a (ODI) series but we didn't find any attraction playing the series," Sethi said at a press conference in January.
"It's mainly because the series was meant for the [Super League] points, and now no matter who wins it won't make a difference. So we agreed to play a series of three T20Is in Sharjah just after the PSL subject to government approval. We will share 50% of the revenue from the series equally. And we will jointly outsource the production,” he added.
Revised Schedule:
March 24: 1st T20I, Sharjah
March 26: 2nd T20I, Sharjah
March 27: 3rd T20I, Sharjah
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