- Shahid Afridi believes captaincy burdens young fast bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, impacting their development.
- The PCB reinstates Babar Azam as captain, aiming for Shaheen to focus on refining his bowling.
- The upcoming New Zealand T20I series will be a test of both Babar’s leadership and Shaheen’s bowling under this strategy.
Afridi’s recent comments regarding Shaheen’s short stint as T20I captain and his preference for Mohammad Rizwan in the role spark an interesting debate in Pakistani cricket. The PCB’s decision to reinstate Babar Azam, however, adds another layer to the discussion.
Also Read: What does Shaheen Shah Afridi have to say about his removal as T20I captain?
Afridi’s concern centers on Shaheen’s workload. He believes captaincy, especially at the franchise level (PSL’s Lahore Qalandars), can burden a young fast bowler. Afridi, along with some who share his view, suggests prioritizing Shaheen’s bowling development and fitness.
This perspective has merit. Fast bowlers are precious assets, and managing their workload is crucial for longevity. History is littered with talented pacers whose careers were cut short due to overexertion.
However, captaincy can also be a learning experience, fostering strategic thinking and leadership qualities. Players like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram thrived in both bowling and captaincy roles.
The PCB’s stance seems to acknowledge both sides. Their “strategic move” might indicate a belief that Babar, an experienced leader, can handle captaincy while Shaheen hones his bowling under less pressure.
Ultimately, the success of this approach hinges on Babar’s captaincy and Shaheen’s bowling performance. The upcoming T20I series against New Zealand will be an early test. Can Babar lead effectively while Shaheen unleashes his pace without the captaincy burden? Only time will tell if the PCB’s strategy proves to be the right call.
With Babar Azam back as captain, the squad is getting ready for a five-game T20 series against New Zealand, starting on April 18th. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming matches:
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series Schedule
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| April 14 | New Zealand arrives in Pakistan | – |
| April 16-17 | Training/practice | – |
| April 18 | 1st T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| April 20 | 2nd T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| April 21 | 3rd T20I | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| April 25 | 4th T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| April 27 | 5th T20I | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
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