The cricketing world is often abuzz with discussions and opinions on who should lead a team to glory, and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has recently sparked a new debate. In a candid address at an event in Australia, Afridi voiced his preference for wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan to take the helm in T20 cricket, favoring him over the current skipper, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Afridi’s endorsement of Rizwan came with high praise for the player’s unwavering focus and relentless work ethic. Describing Rizwan as a “focused and hardworking player,” Afridi highlighted the keeper’s ability to maintain concentration amid distractions, a quality crucial for leadership.
“I want to see him [Rizwan] as the T20 captain, but mistakenly, Shaheen became the skipper,” Afridi humorously remarked, drawing laughter from both the audience and fellow players present, including Rizwan, Harif Rauf, and Shaheen himself.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the left-arm pace sensation, assumed the role of T20 skipper, succeeding batting maestro Babar Azam in November. His on-field prowess has been evident, amassing an impressive tally of 64 wickets in 52 T20Is. Moreover, Shaheen has proven his leadership mettle by guiding Lahore Qalandars to victory in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two consecutive years, clinching titles in the 2022 and 2023 editions.
However, this isn’t the first time Afridi has raised doubts about Shaheen’s captaincy. Earlier, he disclosed his counsel to Shaheen, advising against accepting the captaincy for Lahore Qalandars. Afridi, a revered figure in Pakistan cricket, suggested that his son-in-law refrain from the captaincy role for a year or two, focusing instead on further honing his bowling skills.
