Shaheen Afridi Replaces Babar Azam as Pakistan's T20I Captain, Shan Masood Appointed Test Skipper

Babar Azam stepped down as Pakistan’s captain across all formats on Wednesday and it didn’t take the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) long to appoint his successors. Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will be leading the Green Army in T20Is, while Shan Masood has been handed the keys in red ball cricket.

PCB shared a post on social media confirming Babar’s successors. “Presenting our captains, Shan Masood has been appointed Test captain while Shaheen will lead the T20I side,” read the post from PCB on social media platform X.

A statement from PCB revealed that they wanted Babar to continue as Test captain, however, the 28-year-old decided to contribute going forward as a special batter only.

There was, however, no mention of ODI captaincy, but Babar made it clear in his statement that he resigned across all formats, meaning a new ODI captain will be appointed soon.

Shortly after Babar announced his decision to relinquish captaincy, PCB shared a release, confirming that Babar met PCB chief Zaka Ashraf on Wednesday.

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“PCB Chairman Management Committee Zaka Ashraf and Babar Azam met at the PCB headquarters in Lahore today and had a cordial meeting to discuss various aspects and the World Cup performance. Babar was asked to continue as Test captain, while he has been relieved of captaincy in white-ball cricket for him to focus on one format,” read the PCB release.

“After consultation with his family, Babar decided to step down and PCB stands behind his decision. PCB respects his decision and continues to support him as a player,” informed the release further.

The PCB release further confirmed that they have changed the portfolio of the entire coaching staff after the World Cup 2023 horror run saw them miss out on the semifinals.

“The PCB has changed the portfolio of the entire coaching staff including Director Cricket Mickey Arthur. All coaches will continue to work in National Cricket Academy while PCB will announce the new coaching staff in due course for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand,” read the release further.

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Pakistan were able to win just four games in World Cup 2023 under Babar’s captaincy, subsequently, bowling coach Morne Morkel resigned from his position and the PCB had sacked the entire selection committee.

After their humiliating World Cup exit, Babar and Co. will return to action next month as they will take on Australia in a three-match Test series, with Masood due to make his Test captaincy bow.