PCB Shahid Afridi: Pakistan faced a major embarrassment in the Champions Trophy 2025. The team’s journey in the tournament ended in the group stage itself. First New Zealand and then Team India defeated Pakistan badly. Meanwhile, the team’s match against Bangladesh was cancelled due to rain. Under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan could not even register a single win in the tournament. After the defeat in the Champions Trophy, the PCB took some big steps and took away the T20 captaincy from Rizwan. Salman Agha has been made the new T20 captain. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan has suddenly entered the team and has been made the vice-captain. Looking at the condition of the Pakistan team, a big statement has come from former cricketer Shahid Afridi.
‘’Pakistan cricket is in ICU’
Shahid Afridi has raised questions on Shadab Khan’s sudden entry into the team. Talking to reporters, he said, “On what basis has Shadab been recalled? What a performance he has shown in domestic cricket. We talk about preparations all the time and when the event comes, we flop badly. Then we start talking about surgery. The truth is that Pakistan cricket is in the ICU because of its bad decisions. There is a clear lack of consistency in the decisions and policies of the board. We keep changing the captain, coach and some players, but what is the accountability of the board officials in the end. How will our cricket progress when the sword of Damocles always hangs over the captain and coach?
T-20 captain changed
Pakistan has appointed Salman Agha as the new captain of the T-20 team for the five-match T-20 series against New Zealand. Many young players have been given a chance in the team. However, Babar Azam and Rizwan have not got a chance in the fast cricket team. Harris Rauf has also been dropped. The reins of the ODI team have been kept in the hands of Mohammad Rizwan.
The T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand is scheduled to start from March 16, while the last match is to be played on March 26. After the T20, a three-match ODI series will be played between the two teams, which will start from March 29 and the final match is to be played on April 5.