‘Mohammad Rizwan was the best choice’ – Shahid Afridi after Babar Azam’s return as Pakistan’s white-ball skipper

Babar Azam and Shahid Afridi. (Photo Source: Twitter)

In an interesting turn of events, the legendary Shahid Afridi took to social media and opined that Mohammad Rizwan would have been the better choice to captain Pakistan in T20I cricket instead of Babar Azam.

The talismanic Babar relinquished captaincy of Pakistan in all three formats of the game last year after the Men in Green bowed out in the league phase of the ODI World Cup in India. Shahid’s son-in-law, Shaheen Afridi, was appointed as the new T20I skipper while Shan Masood took up the leadership role in Tests in 2023. Shaheen’s captaincy debut didn’t turn out to be memorable as Pakistan lost a five-match away T20I series 1-4 against New Zealand in January.

On Sunday, March 31 the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that they have reinstated Babar as the captain of the two white-ball formats with the T20 World Cup 2024 being only a few months away.

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Former Pakistan captain Shahid said he was surprised with the call and noted that wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan would have been the ideal candidate for captaincy. However, the 44-year-old mentioned that because the decision has been taken, he will support the Pakistan team and the returning captain.

“I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee,” Shahid Afridi said in his post in ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

“I still believe that if change was necessary than Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam,” the all-rounder added.

Babar’s second innings as Pakistan captain will begin later this month as the Asian giants host New Zealand in a five-match T20I series.

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The first three T20Is are going to be played in Rawalpindi on April 18, 20, and 21, respectively. The action will shift to Lahore for the final couple of games on April 25 and 27, respectively.