Shaheen Afridi on ODI Captaincy
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the current Pakistan ODI captain, has addressed questions regarding his leadership role ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. His comments come amidst ongoing speculation that Babar Azam could potentially return as the team’s all-format captain. Afridi stated, “For now, I am the captain,” when asked about his future as skipper.
This statement was made during a press conference with captains participating in the National Champions Cup 2026. The question about his captaincy tenure until the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 highlights a significant point of discussion within the Pakistan cricket community, given the recent changes in leadership within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Reports from Telecom Asia Sport suggest that the PCB has assured Babar Azam of the captaincy across all three formats. After appointing him as the Test captain, the board is reportedly considering his return to lead the ODI team as well. These reports indicate that Babar Azam accepted the Test captaincy with the understanding that he would eventually become the all-format skipper. Sources reportedly told the publication that two selectors had assured Babar Azam that strong performances in upcoming Test series could lead to his consideration for the all-format role.
Shaheen Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain in October last year, taking over from Mohammad Rizwan. His appointment did not include a fixed tenure. Under Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership, Pakistan experienced an early exit from the Champions Trophy and suffered an ODI series defeat against the West Indies, marking their first series loss to the Caribbean side in 24 years.
Focus on National Champions Cup and World Cup Preparations
Beyond the captaincy discussions, Shaheen Afridi emphasized the importance of the ongoing National Champions Cup 2026. He highlighted that the tournament, scheduled from August 11 to 18, is crucial for developing new talent for Pakistan cricket. The event is expected to help identify players who could serve as replacements in case of injuries before the World Cup, thereby expanding the talent pool.
The National Champions Cup is also seen as an opportunity for players to showcase their abilities in their preferred positions. Shaheen Afridi noted that the tournament would allow everyone to play according to their respective roles. He added that the team management would closely monitor both the performances and fitness levels of the players throughout the competition.
The Pakistan ODI captain views the Champions Cup as a valuable preparation ground for the upcoming World Cup. He stated that the focus remains on the World Cup, and individual performances, as well as the overall fitness of other players, will be assessed. The tournament features several teams, including Pakistan Gold, which Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently leading.
The Pakistan Gold squad for the National Champions Cup 2026 includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Muhammad Akhlaq (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Imran, and Saad Khan. The tournament schedule includes matches such as Pakistan Greens vs Pakistan Whites on August 11, and the final match on August 18.
Despite the current uncertainty surrounding the leadership role, Shaheen Afridi has achieved considerable success as captain of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, leading the franchise to three PSL titles in the last five years. This success has strengthened his case for national captaincy. Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has predicted that Babar Azam will captain Pakistan at the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Pakistan has a busy schedule ahead as they prepare for the World Cup. This includes an anticipated home tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England, another tri-series likely to be held in Zimbabwe featuring Zimbabwe and Ireland, and a five-match ODI series in England as part of their preparations. For now, Shaheen Afridi remains Pakistan’s ODI captain.
Source: tapmad.com
