Pakistan have announced their squad for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, hours before the ICC deadline for submitting their World Cup squads.
Although everything seemed normal in the announced team with Babar Azam as captain, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not announce a vice-captain for the World Cup. It is rumoured that fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Mohammed Rizwan were offered the vice-captaincy but both declined.
Did Shaheen Afridi reject the vice-captaincy position?
Following Pakistan’s disastrous performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shaheen Afridi has taken over the captaincy duties from Babar for the T20 series in New Zealand.
Pakistan did not perform at their best in the series, losing to the Black Caps 4-1, after which Afridi’s brief stint as leader was suspended by the PCB and Babar was reappointed as the team’s captain.
This led to a lot of controversy between the PCB and Afridi but eventually the board was able to calm things down and settle all their differences with the pacer. However, it seems Afridi is still not over the debacle and has declined to be the vice-captain of the team going into the World Cup.
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What did the PCB say about not having a vice-captain in the team?
On one hand, Pakistani media are reporting that Afridi has turned down the board’s offer to become the team’s vice-captain, while on the other hand, the PCB recently released a statement through X, saying that the board has unanimously decided not to appoint anyone.
“During the selection committee meeting on Friday, discussions were held regarding the vice-captaincy. However, it was unanimously decided not to appoint anyone. As such, no offers were made to any players. The team remains fully united and enthusiastic and is looking forward to the upcoming matches in England and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024,” the PCB said.
Read more: Fakhar Zaman reveals Pakistan’s mindset ahead of T20 World Cup
Pakistan T20 World Cup squad
Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim Mohammed, Abbas Afridi, Mohammed Amir, Mohammed Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.
Reserves: The reserve has not been announced.
