“Even I don’t know who the captain will be,” Naqvi said. “Whether Shaheen continues or a new captain comes in will be determined after the fitness camp [starting on Monday]. There are a number of technical factors we will consider, the details of which I do not want to go into. We want a long-term solution, whether it’s Shaheen or a new man. And then we intend to stick by that man, instead of just changing a captain just because you lose a match or captain.”
It had resulted in mounting speculation around Afridi’s future, which is inevitably set to intensify following Naqvi’s comments. The PCB will name 27 players who will be sent to train with the Pakistani military in Kakul – the country’s most famous military academy – for 10 days. That the PCB has deferred a decision until after that camp concludes does buy the board further time to make their minds up.
The emphatic refusal to back Afridi as captain means Pakistan could have a third T20 skipper in five months. Babar Azam reluctantly stepped down as captain after the PCB made clear they wanted to name a replacement in November, which led to Afridi’s appointment. At the time, Afridi was the hot favourite to take over as ODI captain, too, though subsequent events have meant those prospects have receded.
Naqvi’s comments around a long-term solution, and a desire not to change captains after one bad series, are likely to rankle Afridi, given he stands in danger of exactly that happening to him. Part of the appeal of appointing Afridi, still 23, as captain was he could learn on the job and continue in the role for an extended period of time. Should he be replaced after an indifferent tour of New Zealand and a poor PSL on the cusp of the T20 World Cup, it is impossible to view it as anything other than a complete loss of faith in his captaincy abilities.
“At this point, our requirement is the World Cup,” Naqvi said. “Everyone felt the team needed to be strong at this stage. We had a straight talk with Imad, and a one-point agenda – come back and play for Pakistan.”