The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied offering Shaheen Afridi the vice-captaincy role for the upcoming T20 World Cup. PCB officials expressed surprise at reports suggesting Shaheen had declined the position. Babar Azam was re-appointed as captain ahead of the series against New Zealand, while Shaheen was removed from the vice-captaincy following the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand in January.

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Shaheen Afridi Never Offered Vice Captain Role?

“The selectors were shocked with this news because when they held their nearly two-hour online meeting on Friday, six out of seven selectors were not in favour of having a vice-captain to Babar Azam,” a source close to one of the national selectors told PTI.

“The minutes of the meeting are on record as per the instructions of the PCB Chairman. So, today’s news about Shaheen declining the vice-captaincy came as a big shock to the selectors,” the source said.

Pakistan announced their T20 World Cup squad on Friday, May 24, with Babar named as the captain of the 15-member team. However, the PCB did not appoint a vice-captain, leading to rumors that Shaheen had rejected the role. The PCB clarified that several selectors preferred not to have a deputy for Babar.

A source suggested that the rumors were an attempt by external parties to damage the reputation of the PCB and the selectors. Shaheen had been appointed captain of the T20 team after Babar relinquished his leadership duties in all three formats following Pakistan’s loss in the ODI World Cup 2023. Shaheen was dismissed from the captaincy just two months before the T20 World Cup after Pakistan lost a 5-match series to New Zealand 1-4.

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