LAHORE: Shaheen Afridi is in danger of losing the captaincy of the Pakistan team ahead of the T20 World Cup this year, according to a local newspaper.
Lahore Qalandars also fared poorly in the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), finishing at the bottom of the points table under Shaheen.
According to the report, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has been informed about the change in captaincy.
“Some believe that 23-year-old Shaheen is too young for this responsibility and needs more maturity. On the other hand, some board members feel that the decision to change management just before the World Cup may not be wise as it could negatively affect the team’s performance,” the report said.
“The chairman will make the final decision,” he added.
If Shaheen is removed, it is highly likely that Mohammad Rizwan will be appointed for the role. However, former captain Babar Azam is also among the contenders.
Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi are currently on top of the points table in PSL 9. Meanwhile, Rizwan’s Multan Sultans are on the second spot.
The lanky pacer, Shaheen, replaced Azam as the T20I captain in November last year. Pakistan have suffered defeat in four out of five matches under Shaheen so far.
Also read: Sultans ready to face Zalmi in first Qualifier
Under Shaheen, Lahore Qalandars won the PSL twice in two years in 2022 and 2023.
The 2024 FIFA T20 World Cup, which begins on June 1, will feature a 20-team format split into two stages before the knockout stages, although it differs from the First Round/Super 12 setup we saw in the 2021 and 2022 editions.
Pakistan and India will play the most awaited match on June 9 at Eisenhower Park in New York.
England are the defending champions after clinching the 2022 FIFA World Cup T20 in Australia by defeating Pakistan in the final.
