Wasim Akram backs Shaheen Afridi for captaincy

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has his belief that talented left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will once again lead the national team.

During an interview with an Indian sports media outlet, Akram expressed his thoughts on the recent turmoil within the Pakistan men’s cricket team.

He criticized the frequent changes in leadership, emphasizing that stability is crucial for consistent performances. Akram highlighted the abrupt transition from Babar Azam to Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain, followed by another change.

According to Akram, appointing a new captain after just one series is not conducive to the team’s success and causes ridicule in the cricketing world. He stressed the importance of giving Shaheen Afridi a longer tenure to establish himself as the leader.

Despite distancing himself from the Pakistan cricket set-up, Akram commended Shaheen Afridi’s wicket-taking abilities and aggressive playing style. He expressed confidence in the young bowler’s potential to become the national team captain again in the future.

At just 23 or 24 years old, Shaheen Afridi has a promising career ahead of him and should concentrate on enhancing his game until he attains the captaincy, as per Akram’s assessment.

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Wasim Akram also though that it is a blessing in disguise for him that he does not work with the Pakistan cricket team as the job brings only criticism.

“Three chairmen changed in one year. Ramiz Raja was removed, and Najam Sethi came for three months. Sethi left, and Zaka Ashraf came. After four or five months, Mohsin Naqvi came. How would the team stay consistent?” he questioned.

“Babar Azam was removed from captaincy, Shaheen was appointed. He lost one series and the chairman also got changed in the same period, therefore, they changed the skipper. This is just not on, people make fun of us in world cricket.

“At least give Shaheen a year to lead and then he could be changed but I don’t know. They don’t take suggestions from us and it’s great I am away from Pakistan cricket. It’s a ‘blessing in disguise’ because it is just criticism, politics,” he added.