Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday met the national cricket team – which is currently participating in a fitness camp in Kakul,
An eventful week after the PCB had “reorganised” the national selection committee culminated a day ago with the return of Babar Azam as the side’s white-ball skipper, replacing Shaheen.
As per a PCB statement issued on the matter, Shaheen said he looked forward to playing under Babar again. “It was an absolute honour to captain Pakistan’s national cricket team,” he was quoted as saying in the PCB statement. “As a team player, it is my duty to back our captain, Babar Azam. I have played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him,” he had said.
However, a source close to Shaheen denied he had signed off on the statement that implied a harmonious transfer of the top job. The source added Afridi resented being replaced after being in charge for just one Twenty20 series.
“This is not Shaheen’s statement and he has contacted PCB to clarify this,” the source said.
PCB chief Naqvi visited the national team at Kakul to inspect their training and expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan Army for arranging the fitness camp.
“I am highly inspired by the incredible dedication and high spirits of the national team players,” Naqvi said in a post on X.
With veteran players Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir back into contention for a place in the Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup extravaganza after having rescinded their respective retirements recently following negotiations with the PCB, Babar will have a challenge at hand.
Both players have been critical of Babar’s approach as captain while the right-hander has generally been accused of demonstrating favouritism in the national team selection.
