ENG vs PAK: Shaheen Afridi rejects huge leadership role ahead of T20 World Cup as new controversy hits Pakistan

In what has been the latest development as per the reports in Pakistan media, it is learned that fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was offered the role of vice-captain ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement. However, the left-arm pacer wasn't interested in that and declined the offer.

Shaheen Afridi has been in the headlines for a while due to the captaincy saga that has been going on in Pakistan Cricket. After the Men in Green's debacle in the ICC World Cup 2023, they had a massive change in the leadership as well as the management department in all three formats.

Babar Azam was removed as the captain and Shaheen Afridi was allowed to lead the team in the T20Is. But he didn't get the longer run. The left-arm pacer was given just one series to prove himself as the captain of the team and after that nothing went his way.

Under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi, the Pakistan Cricket Team lost the T20I series against New Zealand, and then after that, the fast bowler was removed as the captain of the team. The new Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi then reappointed Babar Azam as the captain of the team.

This didn't go well with many experts and fans in the Pakistan Cricket as they lashed out at the PCB for mistreating fast bowlers. Even Shaheen Afridi seemed to be disappointed as he shared various cryptic posts but later stated that he would give all his support to Babar Azam.

Pakistan team recently then appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain of the team. The keeper-batter has been terrific as the leader in the Pakistan Super League and his captaincy style too has been lauded by many and there were even calls to give him the leadership.

However, it is learned that before offering him the vice-captain of the team, Shaheen Afridi was offered the same but he rejected the role. He didn't accept that role and stated that he was not interested in the vice-captaincy of the team for the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan Squad for the T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan recently announced the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. They are currently locking horns with England in the four-match T20I series, ahead of the tournament. The series will be a massive opportunity for them to get their combination right for the tournament and tick all the boxes.

Here's the Pakistan Squad for the T20 World Cup 2024

Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan

Pakistan are placed in Group A with India, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. They will open their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024 against the USA on 6 June in Dallas. After that, they will be playing against India in their second game on 9th June in New York.