NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi has revealed that he only accepted the captaincy after a discussion with his predecessor Mohammad Rizwan, who chose to step down.
"I took this responsibility from the Pakistan Cricket Board after discussing the matter with Rizwan," Shaheen told the media on Monday.
"Rizwan was the only person I had a discussion with and I asked him how he felt about me accepting the captaincy. Rizwan decided himself he would make way for me and that is how things worked out."
Shaheen had previously been appointed Pakistan’s T20I captain in 2023 but was removed after just one series in New Zealand, with Babar Azam reinstated as captain. During that short stint, he led in only a five-match T20 series against New Zealand.
Backing senior players and team responsibility
The 25-year-old emphasised that he has no ego and is open to guidance from everyone, including former captains. Shaheen stressed that team responsibility is key.
"Everyone has to take responsibility if you want to improve as a team," he said. "You can’t keep on saying Babar, Rizwan or Fakhar will do it. It is as a team we have to click and take responsibility."
He highlighted that senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are vital for the team’s balance and experience. "As far as Rizwan is concerned, he is Pakistan's top-scorer in one-dayers since 2023.
We are trying to back players who are not in form so that they can do well in future matches. Babar can falter in one or two matches but he is in good touch and I hope he will score a hundred soon," Shaheen added.
Looking ahead to 2027 World Cup
Shaheen said the Pakistan Cricket Board has not set a specific timeframe for his captaincy, but he is focused on leading the side with a long-term plan.
He expressed his ambition to guide Pakistan through the 2027 World Cup, signalling a clear vision of supporting senior players while building a cohesive team capable of performing consistently across formats.
(With PTI Inputs)
