Babar Azam should have supported Shaheen's captaincy, says Shahid Afridi after T20 World Cup exit

Former player Shahid Afridi reacted after Pakistan were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 saying that Babar Azam should have supported Shaheen Afridi when he was named the Green Shirts’ T20Is captain.

After Pakistan were eliminated from the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar stepped down from captaincy across formats and Shaheen was given the captaincy for T20Is.

However, after just one series against New Zealand, which Pakistan lost 4-1, Shaheen was removed and Babar was re-appointed as the captain by Moshin Naqvi-led PCB.

Shahid Afridi was talking on his YouTube channel after Pakistan were eliminated from the T20 World Cup and he was asked about the change in captaincy. 

“If the decision on Shaheen’s captaincy had been made and you [PCB] had stated that he will remain the captain till the [T20] World Cup, then I think Babar [Azam] should have supported Shaheen there and should have said that 'no, if you have made him [Shaheen] the captain, then we are ready to play under his captaincy because Shaheen has been playing with me for a long time. If he is made captain and the selection committee has made him the captain, then yes I will support him and play under his captaincy'. This is the stance Babar should’ve taken. Babar’s respect would’ve increased greatly that he has set an example with a remarkable decision," Afridi said. 

"But this was not entirely the fault of Babar because some of the blame lies with the selection committee too since some of the selectors on record said that Babar doesn't know how to do captaincy."

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan lost their first two matches of the World Cup against the USA and India which made their chances of qualifying for the Super 8 difficult as they were no longer dependent on themselves.

Pakistan defeated Canada in their third match but they needed Ireland to beat the USA. However, the match between the two sides was called off due to rain in Florida and both teams were awarded one point.

With one point given, the USA took their points tally to five which saw them earning a place in the Super 8 of the World Cup as Pakistan could no longer catch them.

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Mahadevan commented 3 months ago

How are they reacting in New Zealand who also faced early exit? They back up Williamson.

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Abdullah Al Mamun commented 3 months ago

Pakistanis are corrupt, they don't have patriotism, that's the main point. They have to accept that the party is bigger than the individual, the country is bigger than the party. And Shahid Afridi is a selfish guy

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Awais commented 3 months ago

Shaheen lacks skills would prove a worst captain desist from supporting ur nalaiq son in law

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Furqan commented 3 months ago

Shahid Afridi should not have given this statement. Rather giving this advice to Baber Azam, it would have been better to give this advice to your own son-in-law. This clearly shows the bias towards his son in law. Bye the way Shaheen Afridi doesn't have the skills of captaincy yet!

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soomro commented 3 months ago

Afridi Sb team me or b players hen Shaheen k ilawa kabhi un ko support kia kren

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