The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Shadab Khan will be the captain for the T20 series against Afghanistan after resting all-format captain Babar Azam.
The series will be played in Sharjah starting on March 24 and before the preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pakistan has decided to rest its key players Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan.
While PCB has dropped Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain and Khushdil Shah from the squad, some new players managed to make it to the squad after their outstanding performance in the PSL. Among them are fast bowlers Ehsanullah and Zaman Khan who have impressed the fans with their fast bowling in this T20 league so far.
Along with them, batsmen Saeem Ayub and Tayyab Tahir have also been selected, who have strengthened the batting line-up of their teams in the PSL.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafiq, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have again been included in the squad.
The decision to quit captaincy will be Babar's own'
PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi said during the press conference yesterday that 'There was concern that senior players have injury problems, they should be rested. In this three-match series, we will rest the seniors and give opportunities to the youngsters.'
He said that some media people have started a conspiracy that maybe there is a conspiracy about the captaincy. There is no such situation. I have spoken to all the top players.'
I have spoken to Babar Azam, Rizwan, Shaheen, Haris and Fakhar, they are all happy. There is no threat to our captain Babar Azam. The day Babar Azam says I have to give up the captaincy, keep it in two (formats) or keep it in just one, then it will be Babar's decision.'
Najam Sethi said that 'I have great respect for Babar. He is our star. I am glad they supported him.'
He clarified that the senior players are being rested and the new players are being tested. It is my decision that (in Babar's absence) Shadab will be the captain. It becomes his right.'The head of PCB's management committee said that he has spoken to the Afghan board officials that 'what is the guarantee of who will manage your players and crowd, past experiences have not been so good.'
He said that the management of United Arab Emirates will ensure that fans of Pakistan and Afghanistan do not sit in the same place. They will be kept separate.'
There will be strict security in Sharjah so that no such incident happens. As far as the players are concerned, I have spoken to them (Afghan board) that please understand, losses continue to win. We have a lot of experience of winning and losing. But if you are a new comer, take care.'
Some are happy and some are angry about Shadab getting the captaincy
Before this announcement by PCB and even now there are comments on social media that senior players including Babar Azam are being rested or they are being dropped and future plans are being planned.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi congratulated Shadab Khan on becoming the captain on Twitter and said that 'PCB has taken a good decision by resting senior players. Young players like Shadab now have this great opportunity. I am happy that he will be able to enjoy himself on the field.'
