Race for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Captaincy Heats Up

Following the dismissal of Babar Azam as captain across formats post the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan cricket underwent a significant overhaul, including changes to the support staff. Mohammad Hafeez, the former director of cricket, also parted ways with the team. Amidst these transitions, the return of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir from retirement has added to the intrigue surrounding the captaincy.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, who led the team in only one series, faces uncertainty about his future as T20I captain. The selection committee is expected to explore multiple options before finalizing the appointment, with nine T20Is scheduled before the World Cup providing an opportunity for the new captain to acclimate.

Shadab Khan emerges as a frontrunner, having previously served as vice-captain and demonstrated leadership qualities during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he excelled as both winning captain and Player of the Tournament.

Mohammad Rizwan’s impressive win-loss ratio in the PSL positions him as a strong contender, despite lacking experience in leading Pakistan in limited-overs cricket. Babar Azam, despite losing the captaincy due to team performance, remains in contention following his stellar performance in PSL 2024.

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s tenure as captain, although brief, showcased glimpses of potential success, particularly with Lahore Qalandars’ PSL title victories in 2022 and 2023.

As Pakistan cricket navigates through leadership transitions and prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the decision regarding the captaincy carries significant weight. With a pool of talented candidates and recent performances shaping the narrative, the selection committee faces a crucial decision in appointing the individual best suited to lead Pakistan to success on the global stage.