Shaheen Afridi expresses his gratification after being named as Pakistan Captain for T20I format

Shaheen Afridi. (Photo Source:Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Ace Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi opened after being named as the new T20I captain of the national team. Notably, his appointment came shortly after Babar Azam stepped down from captaincy in all formats of the game. Shaheen’s debut leadership role is scheduled to commence immediately after the conclusion of a three-match Test series against Australia.

Following the Tests, Pakistan are set to embark on a tour to New Zealand, engaging in a series of five T20Is. This series marks the initial phase in preparation for the T20 World Cup next year, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA in June 2024. The 23-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his gratitude and pride in being honoured with the responsibility to lead the Men in Green in the shortest format of the game.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead our national T20 cricket team. Thank you to the Pakistan cricket board and fans for their trust and support. I’ll give my best to uphold the team spirit and bring glory to our nation on the cricket field. Our success lies in unity, trust and relentless effort. We are not just a team; we are a brotherhood, a family.
Together, we rise! #PakistanZindabad,” Shaheen wrote on his ‘X’ handle.

See Shaheen Shah Afridi’s post here:

I am honoured and thrilled to lead our national T20 cricket team. Thank you to the Pakistan cricket board and fans for their trust and support.
I’ll give my best to uphold the team spirit and bring glory to our nation on the cricket field.
Our success lies in unity, trust and…

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) November 16, 2023

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) November 16, 2023

Shaheen Afridi, who has previously captained Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), led the team to victory in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. It is worth noting that Babar Azam stepped down from the leadership role after a disappointing campaign in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, in India. Notably, the 1992 champions were knocked out of the tournament after finishing fifth in the points table with four wins from nine games.

In addition, left-handed batsman Shan Masood has been named as Pakistan’s new captain in the longest format of the game. As there are no ODIs scheduled shortly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to name an ODI captain for the side.