Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has vehemently defended his son-in-law, Shaheen Shah Afridi, amidst rumors of his potential removal as the national T20 captain. Afridi emphasized the importance of providing Shaheen with ample time to prove his worth.
“If you appoint someone as captain and entrust them with responsibility, you must also grant them time,” Afridi asserted. He criticized the tendency in Pakistani cricket to overhaul the system with every change in leadership. “Whoever takes charge believes their approach is the best for Pakistan cricket,” he lamented.
Afridi believes Shaheen deserves a fair chance to demonstrate his capabilities. “If you change the captain, it implies either the initial decision to appoint him was flawed or the current decision to replace him is misguided,” he reasoned.
Afridi played a pivotal role in Shaheen’s appointment as T20 captain after Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Babar Azam was subsequently removed as white-ball captain, and he later resigned from the red-ball captaincy.
Afridi also advocated for the appointment of a high-profile foreign coach, such as Andy Flower, who possesses a proven track record. However, he stressed the importance of having a Pakistani support staff to foster the development of local talent.
Regarding the inclusion of Imad Wasim and Muhammad Amir in the national training camp, Afridi expressed reservations about their fitness. “It would have been prudent to assess their fitness first,” he said. However, he acknowledged that if they can endure the rigorous two-week camp in Kakul, they will emerge as exceptional players.
Amir, who recently returned from retirement, has also voiced his support for Shaheen as T20 captain. “Shaheen is not lacking in ability, and I believe he should be given time to prove himself,” he tweeted.
