PAK vs NZ: “He Did What None Of The Captains Did In PSL” - Aaqib Javed Wants Shaheen Afridi To Captain Pakistan In T20Is

Former Pakistan Cricketer Aaqib Javed wants pacer Shaheen Afridi to captain the National team in T20Is. He said that what he achieved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) no other skippers could do and if someone can amp up Pakistan cricket and take it in the right direction, that is him.

There has been a lot of debate about Pakistan Cricket’s Team captaincy over the last few months. The current skipper Babar Azam has been under tremendous pressure, especially after his side’s poor performance in the home Test series against Australia, England, and New Zealand.

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With two PSL titles in his kitty, Shaheen Afridi might have also put his hand up for the role. Many fans and pundits have raised calls about the same, saying that the pacer should captain at least in the T20Is.

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Director Cricket of Lahore Qalandars Aaqib Javed also backed Shaheen Afridi to be Pakistan’s skipper in T20Is. He highlighted how the pacer carried his team in the PSL and said that he can take the team in the right direction. Speaking to local news, he said:

“Shaheen Afridi did what none of the captains in PSL did so far. He won back-to-back PSL titles. The way he carries the team and his style of working. In regard to Pakistan cricket, the way they play, and curating dead pitches – we can see perhaps a defensive mindset.

“Even if you bring Shadab, regardless of the format, I don’t see any variations or changes – particularly aggressive change. Or if you bring in Rizwan, there won’t be any apparent culture change. If someone can amp up Pakistan cricket and take it in the right direction, that is Shaheen Shah Afridi.”

Also Read: PAK vs NZ: Pakistan Hoping Senior Players To Step Up Against New Zealand

PAK vs NZ: “Shaheen Afridi’s approach is positive, and he plays fearless cricket,” says Aaqib Javed

Aaqib Javed further highlighted Shaheen Afridi’s approach and said that with Pakistan not playing much T20 cricket near future, Shaheed should lead the side. He added:

“I’ll talk from a pure cricketing perspective. Babar should stay the captain in test and one-day formats. Now that we don’t have a lot of T20 cricket in then near future. Shaheen should lead the national side as a captain, keeping the World Cup in prospect.

“Even during that time, we might have one more PSL underway. Shaheen’s approach is positive, and he plays fearless cricket. I think he should lead the T20 side as the captain. And Babar should continue in the tests and ODI sides.”

Also Read: PAK vs NZ: Danish Kaneria Refutes Mohammad Rizwan’s Claim That Players Prefer PSL Over IPL

Pakistan are all set to host New Zealand for the white-ball series. The two teams will cross swords with each other in 5 T20Is and 5 ODIs from 14th April to 7th April.

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