ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly appointed T20I captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said on Thursday he was “thrilled and honored” to lead the country’s national squad, a day after he took over the reins of the team from former skipper Babar Azam.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Afridi as the new captain of the squad for the shortest format of the game on Wednesday after Azam announced he was stepping down as captain from all formats of the game. The star batter took the decision to step away from captaincy following Pakistan’s dismal performance in the ongoing World Cup.
Afridi, who debuted for Pakistan in April 2018, is considered one of the most lethal fast bowlers around the world. The left-arm pacer is captain of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Lahore Qalandars, and is the first PSL captain to lead a franchise to two successive trophies.
“I am honored and thrilled to lead our national T20 cricket team,” Afridi wrote on social media platform X. “Thank you to the Pakistan cricket board and fans for their trust and support. I’ll give my best to uphold the team spirit and bring glory to our nation on the cricket field.”
Afridi said Pakistan’s success lies in unity, trust and “relentless effort.”
“We are not just a team; we are a brotherhood, a family. Together, we rise!” he added.
Afridi’s first assignment as captain will be a five-match T20I away series against New Zealand from Jan. 12-21.
The PCB also handed over captaincy of Pakistan in Test cricket, the longest format of the game, to left-handed opener Shan Masood on Wednesday. The cricket body said it would appoint a new ODI captain “in due course.”
