Tag: Captaincy

  • How was Babar Azam removed from captaincy?

    When was the proposal to remove Babar from the captaincy considered by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)? The inside story has been revealed by Abdul Majid Bhatti of Geo News.

    During the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI World Cup held in India, Pakistan team performed poorly, while Babar Azam could not fulfill expectations.

    Abdul Majid Bhatti has written, “During the World Cup, the proposal was under consideration in the PCB circles that Babar Azam should step down from the leadership so that he could focus on his batting, but the final decision to remove him from the captaincy was not taken. PCB officials wanted to give him a break from captaincy due to his arbitrariness and defensive style.”

    At the time when Inzamam-ul-Haq was the chief selector, Babar Azam’s captaincy was under scrutiny, but after the departure of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mickey Arthur and interim selectors Tauseef Ahmed, Wajahatullah Wasti and Wasim Haider considered a proposal to change the captain. However, Shan Masood was not among the names of replacements.

    Mickey Arthur and the national selectors formed a similar team to the Test team announced for the tour of Australia by Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, and Shaan Masood. Haris Rauf was also included in this team but later withdrew from visiting Australia.

  • Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan cricket team captain

    Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has announced that he is stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats.

    “It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call,” Babar said in a statement he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening.

    Babar said that he will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats.

    “I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication,” added Babar.

    Babar and the team have come under heavy criticism from fans, former players and analysts alike, after a disappointing World Cup campaign in which Pakistan failed to make it to the semi-finals while losing five of its nine group matches.

  • Shahid Afridi lauds Shaheen Afridi for ‘great display of captaincy’

    Shahid Afridi lauds Shaheen Afridi for ‘great display of captaincy’

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has lauded Lahore Qalandars’ skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi for a “great display of captaincy” after Qalandars reached the final of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    On Friday, David Wiese’s last-over heroics at the Gaddafi Stadium against Islamabad United took Qalandars to a six-run victory in the second eliminator of the tournament. 

    The do-or-die match between the two sides was a treat to the eye as both the teams fought for the slot in the final till the last moment.

    Taking to Twitter, Boom Boom Afridi posted photos of him watching the match between Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United along with his friends.

    “Today I witnessed one of the best matches in the PSL history. Congratulations Lahore Qalandars on a well-deserved win!”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1497277439575216134

    Afridi also hailed Shaheen’s captaincy throughout the PSL 7 and wished good luck to the finalists.

    “Great display of captaincy by Shaheen throughout the tournament. Good luck to both of the finalist teams,” he wrote.

    Defending champions Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars will lock horns on Sunday for PSL 7 title.

    Earlier in December, Afridi had said that Shaheen did not pay heed to his advice regarding accepting the leadership role.

    Afridi had said: “I had advised Shaheen to wait for a year or two before accepting captaincy so that he can focus more on his bowling. But since he is also an Afridi, he didn’t listen to me.”

    “Having said that, I’m happy that he has decided to accept this responsibility and I hope that he proves me wrong,” the former skipper had said.

    Sultan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan also congratulated Shaheen for reaching the Final.

    “What a thriller it was! Enjoyed every second of it. Congratulations @iShaheenAfridi & @lahoreqalandars for finals. You put everything into this,” he wrote.

    While commenting on Shadab Khan, he added: “@76Shadabkhan & @IsbUnited, keep your head high. I know k aap Himmat nahi haare ga (I know you will not lose hope) and will come back stronger. #LevelHai #PSL7.”

  • ‘Wo bhi Afridi hai’: Shaheen ignores Shahid Afridi’s advice on assuming Qalandars’ captaincy

    ‘Wo bhi Afridi hai’: Shaheen ignores Shahid Afridi’s advice on assuming Qalandars’ captaincy

    Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has said that he asked pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to not assume the role of a captain for a few years, but the fast-bowler did not pay heed to the cricket great’s advice.

    Shahid Afridi, speaking during a programme on Samaa TV, said: “I had advised Shaheen to wait for a year or two before accepting captaincy so that he can focus more on his bowling. But since he is also an Afridi, he didn’t listen to me.”

    “Having said that, I’m happy that he has decided to accept this responsibility and I hope that he proves me wrong,” the former skipper said.

    The star fast bowler was named captain of the Lahore Qalandars earlier this week for the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Shaheen, during the same show, said he would attempt to do well for his team and also noted that he had experienced players on his side, who would help him during his role as the captain.

    “I will try to do well for my side and maintain a good environment. I have players like [Mohammad Hafeez], Fakhar [Zaman], and Rashid [khan], who have the experience of captaincy, in the team which will help me in the leadership department,” the pacer said.

    The PSL’s latest edition will be played in Karachi from January 27 to February 7 and in Lahore from February 10-27.

    The first match will be staged under the lights of the National Stadium Karachi, where Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans will go head-to-head.

  • Babar Azam named captain of Karachi Kings for PSL 7

    Babar Azam named captain of Karachi Kings for PSL 7

    The all-format captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, will lead Karachi Kings in the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is starting in January next year.

    Read More – 2020 Sports Roundup – Some losses, some gains

    The franchise confirmed the long-rumoured development on its official Twitter account on Tuesday.

    “Big announcement for Karachi Kings fans! Our national team skipper, the one and only Babar Azam, will now be the captain of Karachi Kings as well!”

    “This is such an honour for me that the whole team management, including Imad Bhai, has entrusted me with the captaincy of our beloved Karachi Kings team. This means the world to me,” Babar said in a video message attached with the tweet.

    “I have been playing for the Karachi Kings for the last five years, and this is like my home and family away from home.

    “I will work as hard as possible to take the team to even greater heights than what we’ve already achieved so far. My promise is that I will give it my all to make sure we keep on growing towards bigger and better things,” Azam said.

    The players’ draft for the seventh edition of the PSL is due for the second week of December while the tournament is likely to start in late January. Karachi and Lahore are expected to host 17 matches each with the playoffs and the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

    Earlier, under the leadership of all-round spinner Imad Wasim, the Kings won their first title, playing against their arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars in 2020.