"Shaheen Shah Afridi should become captain in white-ball cricket in case Babar Azam resigns": Shoaib Malik

[daytrader]

In a recent interview with a local media news channel, Shoaib Malik said:

"I gave an opinion in the past as well that Babar Azam should leave captaincy. This is my personal opinion. Babar does not think out of the box as a captain. He is doing captaincy but the improvement is not coming. He can do wonders for Pakistan as a player,"

"Shaheen Afridi should become captain in whiteball cricket incase Babar Azam resigns. He has done an attacking captaincy for Lahore Qalandars," he concluded.

 

[emranabbas]

Shaheen shah afridi can't captain his own bowling never mind the pakistan cricket team

 

[BouncerGuy]

Shaheen has captained his PSL franchise to 2 titles. He can be a good prospect for the future surely. May be keep Babar till the next T20 World Cup and then we can jump to any conclusions. Obviously, the board has to take this decision but we can still criticize if Babar fails as a captain. But Shaheen should be developed for the future instead of Shadab

 

[batandballbattle]

He's clearly nursing an injury which will require rest after the tournament, so you would have to pick another captain in the interim.

Blame can be placed on management for coming into the WC like this, but the player himself also has to manage his own condition, which he hasn't. How could he then manage the team?

Rizwan would be the better choice, he is much less passive compared to Babar.

 

[King_Babar]

Babar needs to step down from the captaincy to prioritize his batting. He should recognize that his main role and the stardom he has gained are a result of his batting prowess. Thus, he should not hesitate to resign from the captaincy post the World Cup.

However, appointing Shaheen as the national captain would be nothing short of a disaster. As a captain, he would be required to play every game, something Shaheen must avoid to ensure a prolonged career.

 

[daytrader]

Gotta question timing of Malik's statement. Still the politician

 

[Professionalismandflair]

I don’t rate Babar as a captain. Too timid and not enough intelligence or game awareness. Has not learned after all this time. Afridi is no better. Won PSL because of his team not through tactical genius. And tends to choke when the pressure is “real hot”.

 

[Rana]

Captain resigning in the middle of a tournament, what a waste

 

[BouncerGuy]

Captain resigning in the middle of a tournament, what a waste

I think Shoaib is not calling for the resignation right now. He wants him to go after this World Cup and bring in Shaheen as his Successor.

 

[topspin]

Not a good idea because you wouldn't want Shaheen playing every meaningless bilateral game in white ball cricket.

The problem is if not Shaheen, the captaincy will be given to either Shadab or Rizwan.

 

[Saanji]

In a recent interview with a local media news channel, Shoaib Malik said:

"I gave an opinion in the past as well that Babar Azam should leave captaincy. This is my personal opinion. Babar does not think out of the box as a captain. He is doing captaincy but the improvement is not coming. He can do wonders for Pakistan as a player,"

"Shaheen Afridi should become captain in whiteball cricket incase Babar Azam resigns. He has done an attacking captaincy for Lahore Qalandars," he concluded.

You need the best brains to be captain not the best player in a particular domain.

 

[batandballbattle]

Not a good idea because you wouldn't want Shaheen playing every meaningless bilateral game in white ball cricket.

The problem is if not Shaheen, the captaincy will be given to either Shadab or Rizwan.

If shadab gets given full captaincy on zero merit and just because of his VC role it would probably be one of the worst appointments ever. Really hope management doesn't stoop that low

 

[Saanji]

Of all teams Pakistan has been a team where the groupism and lack of respect for captain crops up every time the team fails.

Too many conflicting voices and ambitions to be the next "Imran khan" .. other teams don't have so much talk about captaincy as this.

 

[kingusama92]

I think Shoaib is not calling for the resignation right now. He wants him to go after this World Cup and bring in Shaheen as his Successor.

I don't think a captain should resign after winning the World Cup.

But maybe Malik thinks otherwise.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't think a captain should resign after winning the World Cup.

But maybe Malik thinks otherwise.

I think that you said this in Sarcasm but I do agree with this anyway LOL. Babar is not that poor as a captain when it comes to the ICC tournament or Asia Cup. He has done well overall. Other players should also support him then the results will come. It is a team game not a snooker.

 

[Saanji]

The biggest problem is no respect for the current captain and too many eager to pounce on the job.
Blame the players who under perform , the captain can only do so much.

 

[topspin]

If shadab gets given full captaincy on zero merit and just because of his VC role it would probably be one of the worst appointments ever. Really hope management doesn't stoop that low

This is why I wouldn't be surprised if the PCB persist with Babar after this WC. They're usually slow to react to all the red flags staring in their face.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Shaheen himself isnt fit enough to play three formats.

If we make him limited over captain then he should quit tests.

We are facing a real conundrum because really there is no stand out player that deserves the captaincy.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Of all teams Pakistan has been a team where the groupism and lack of respect for captain crops up every time the team fails.

Too many conflicting voices and ambitions to be the next "Imran khan" .. other teams don't have so much talk about captaincy as this.

Its because we dont really have any technical analysis beyond tropes and stereo types.

Almost all of the discussion around the team is around friendship, aggression, timidness etc or they will blame one person for ruining cricket.

Nobody has sat down to actually try and work out why we are producing these types of players.

 

[Spitfire]

Shaheen isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

 

[Saanji]

Its because we dont really have any technical analysis beyond tropes and stereo types.

Almost all of the discussion around the team is around friendship, aggression, timidness etc or they will blame one person for ruining cricket.

Nobody has sat down to actually try and work out why we are producing these types of players.

Those army style fitness focus needs to be brought back. Players cry a lot but eventually discipline will create a culture of true champions.

 

[shah_1]

Rizwan as a captain in all three captain but the head coach needs to have more power in term of style of play, and playing 11. Captain should have no say in 15 squad selection, just ask his opinion.

Player power is destructive in Pakistan, too much yaari dosti.

 

[hitthestump]

The side fundamentally lacks leaders. Babar is not a good captain, nor will Shaheen be one.

The best option for Pakistan would be for Rizwan to lead, but to have Imad Wasim take the vice captaincy so that they challenge each other.

Rizwan is a fighter by nature so I don’t think he’ll be so insecure about having his leadership and tactics questioned like Babar is.

 

[shah_1]

One thing is for sure that it will be better option for Babar to resign, if not then sack him. He should not continue at all. Picking ARs as your two main spinners is criminal in this format by him.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Babar was a failure to begin with. He's lost against Zimbabwe at a world cup while he's happy with 50 and out v India on assistive pitches

 

[jnaveen1980]

Not the brightest idea. An injury prone bowler who may end up over bowling himself. Also field sets, reading of game, reading of conditions all these things can be overwhelming. They have to pick a batsman or keeper as captain.

 

[Rana]

The side fundamentally lacks leaders. Babar is not a good captain, nor will Shaheen be one.

The best option for Pakistan would be for Rizwan to lead, but to have Imad Wasim take the vice captaincy so that they challenge each other.

Rizwan is a fighter by nature so I don’t think he’ll be so insecure about having his leadership and tactics questioned like Babar is.

Yeah how do you know that? Ask Andy Flower

 

[Arzy8]

I think he needs to focus on listening to his body and recovering from injuries in full, rather than partially, before thinking about captaincy. It’s a shame watching him bowl over the past year or so- he was absolutely electric in 2021 when his pace was consistent around the low 140’s, with the occasional high 140’s delivery.

 

[SamNJ]

Pakistan has lost one match against team that is hot favorite and in serious form and likely to beat everyone and it is doom and gloom as if they have lost all their matches.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Not a good idea because you wouldn't want Shaheen playing every meaningless bilateral game in white ball cricket.

The problem is if not Shaheen, the captaincy will be given to either Shadab or Rizwan.

In this modern era, to have a bowling LOI captain would become a disaster.... Only Aus have tried with Cummins and are struggling in LOIs. It is not easy for a bowler to bowl his full quota of 10 overs and also captain the same time is tough ask in this era..

Also Pak have zero management when it comes to managing their fast bowlers..

 

[Thanos]

A fast bowler as captain?
Before appointing Shaheen, just imagine if Naseem was the captain of Pak team for last two-three years.
Leading the team all the time and then getting ruled out before the main event due to injury.

Pak has only two options for captaincy role.
Babar and Rizwan.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

The side fundamentally lacks leaders. Babar is not a good captain, nor will Shaheen be one.

The best option for Pakistan would be for Rizwan to lead, but to have Imad Wasim take the vice captaincy so that they challenge each other.

Rizwan is a fighter by nature so I don’t think he’ll be so insecure about having his leadership and tactics questioned like Babar is.

The problem with Rizwan is the vision , he will bring in all players from KPK

Players like Adil Amin and many uncooked players will be revolving around the national team Khusdil will be back as well, just look at Ifthikhar Ahmed, a player with 1 50 and 1 100 against Nepal been around the time because of Rizwan..

 

[aukhan]

Anyone other than Babar or Shadab.

 

[Bhaijaan]

I was never a fan of fast bowlers being captain because of the load management issues but Cummins has actually convinced me.

Also, a bowling team like Pakistan should always have a bowling captain , that way the captain could also exert greater dominance over the batters. Babar cannot be strict because he is not perfect himself and has his limitations but Shaheen can always openly tell batters to do better on behalf of the team.

He’s also a tall, good looking star of a cricketer. Good for PR too. Everyone will accept him with open arms and give him support.

 

[hitthestump]

The problem with Rizwan is the vision , he will bring in all players from KPK

Players like Adil Amin and many uncooked players will be revolving around the national team Khusdil will be back as well, just look at Ifthikhar Ahmed, a player with 1 50 and 1 100 against Nepal been around the time because of Rizwan..

If Rizwan becomes captain he should not have autonomy to override the chief selector on his own whims.

The next Pakistan captain should get a say in team selection but not be responsible for the final decision.

This is how we avoid another era of a captain surrounding himself with yes men like Babar has.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

I don’t rate Babar as a captain. Too timid and not enough intelligence or game awareness. Has not learned after all this time. Afridi is no better. Won PSL because of his team not through tactical genius. And tends to choke when the pressure is “real hot”.

To be a captain you need a high IQ. Any new captain has to go through a IQ test, 115 minimum.

 

[ArabKnight]

The problem with Rizwan is the vision , he will bring in all players from KPK

Players like Adil Amin and many uncooked players will be revolving around the national team Khusdil will be back as well, just look at Ifthikhar Ahmed, a player with 1 50 and 1 100 against Nepal been around the time because of Rizwan..

I wouldn’t mind that.

Bring in Usman Shinwari. Best fast bowler of Pakistan.

 

[shariqnoor]

A fertile ground is being laid for Shaheen's captaincy. The influence of Shahid Afridi is coming to the fore.

I don't mind Shaheen as a captain. He's done well with Lahore Qalandars. However, I have doubts about Shaheen as a player. He's clearly not even quarter of a bowler he was when he burst onto the scene. It'll be difficult to maintain your aura in the dressing room when you're consistently not performing. Babar for all his ills as captain, has been a bedrock of the batting lineup and has consistently performed.

 

[shokz1408]

If shadab gets given full captaincy on zero merit and just because of his VC role it would probably be one of the worst appointments ever. Really hope management doesn't stoop that low

Exactly. Shadab is a specialist fielder, can’t win the game with the bat or ball. Should be dropped for the rest of the World Cup.

 

[shamaan]

Rizwan will be next captain.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Rizwan will be next captain.

He has the potential to be an excellent captain because he thinks out of the box and implement it on the field not like convential captaincy which babar does.

 

[King_Babar]

Babar was a failure to begin with. He's lost against Zimbabwe at a world cup while he's happy with 50 and out v India on assistive pitches

Babar is not the only captain who lost to Zim. Captain like Misbah who was the best test captain Pak ever had lost a test against Zim. Pak also lost to Ireland under the captaincy of great Inzimam. Nevertheless Babar should happily drop captaincy burden and focus on his primary role of scoring runs for Pakistan.

 

[King_Babar]

He has the potential to be an excellent captain because he thinks out of the box and implement it on the field not like convential captaincy which babar does.

I would say Saud is potential captain, as he has good experience of captaining the domestic teams.

 

[hamzi]

Shoaib Malik is one of the most political and controversial players weve ever had. I disregard his every thought because of it.

i watch this show almost everyday and while everyone else talks sense for the better of our team and cricket in general, this guy only talks dirty politics. His only agenda is to disrespect our players and cause issues in the team even after he is retired.

What a disgrace.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Would be a horrible decision considering his current bowling

 

[Champ_Pal]

Rizwan is the only guy who can take over if Babar resigns.

 

[shah9425]

Rizwan will most likely be next captain

Better choice than Shaheen

 

[Duckworth Lewis]

Shaheen may be dropped 2 or 3 series after the world cup if he continues like this.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Mohammad Yousuf replying to Shoaib Malik's comments said:

“During the World Cup, I don't think anybody should talk about this. Secondly, Imran Khan captained in 1983 and 1987 and lost both times before winning on his third attempt in 1992. Any good player should be allowed to continue as a captain for a long time. He is the captain because he has the ability. He did not become the captain because he is related to the PCB chairman. He is a genuine skipper,"

"So talking about him in this manner is a loss for Pakistan and for him as well, especially amid the immense pressure post that loss against India. I am shocked that Wasim Akram, who was sitting there, did not stop him either,”​

 

[adi_62941]

Shoaib Malik is one of the most political and controversial players weve ever had. I disregard his every thought because of it.

i watch this show almost everyday and while everyone else talks sense for the better of our team and cricket in general, this guy only talks dirty politics. His only agenda is to disrespect our players and cause issues in the team even after he is retired.

What a disgrace.

Sialkoti....

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Mohammad Yousuf replying to Shoaib Malik's comments said:

“During the World Cup, I don't think anybody should talk about this. Secondly, Imran Khan captained in 1983 and 1987 and lost both times before winning on his third attempt in 1992. Any good player should be allowed to continue as a captain for a long time. He is the captain because he has the ability. He did not become the captain because he is related to the PCB chairman. He is a genuine skipper,"

"So talking about him in this manner is a loss for Pakistan and for him as well, especially amid the immense pressure post that loss against India. I am shocked that Wasim Akram, who was sitting there, did not stop him either,”​

Did they not reach Semis under him '83?.

Babar is not IK!

Need a big character as captain.

Shadab was perfect but he's a mercenary like the Windies.

Drop these franchise hoarders

 

[adi_62941]

Mohammad Yousuf replying to Shoaib Malik's comments said:

“During the World Cup, I don't think anybody should talk about this. Secondly, Imran Khan captained in 1983 and 1987 and lost both times before winning on his third attempt in 1992. Any good player should be allowed to continue as a captain for a long time. He is the captain because he has the ability. He did not become the captain because he is related to the PCB chairman. He is a genuine skipper,"

"So talking about him in this manner is a loss for Pakistan and for him as well, especially amid the immense pressure post that loss against India. I am shocked that Wasim Akram, who was sitting there, did not stop him either,”​

Mo Yo is consistently hypocritical, often speaking beyond the stature of any average cricketer on cricketing issues. He used to silence Ramiz and many other below-average cricketers who spoke excessively.

 

[adi_62941]

Did they not reach Semis under him '83?.

Babar is not IK!

1992 was a fluke. Nothing else. We were good in 1996 and 1999 more than 1992

 

[SpiritOf1903]

1992 was a fluke. Nothing else. We were good in 1996 and 1999 more than 1992

Well quite what happened in 1999 is still a mystery. Or maybe not.

Reformed mullahs got a little too giddy in Soho

 

[adi_62941]

Rizwan is better than Shaheen. Shaheen, being a fast bowler, often faces injuries, making it wiser to have Rizwan as captain. Rizwan has already worked wonders for Multan Sultans despite leading a young and new team.

On the contrary, Shaheen is a very aggressive person and may backfire against strong teams. While he can win matches against weaker teams, facing top teams might expose him as a captain lacking strategic plans. Relying solely on field aggression may not work every time and in every situation.

 

[CerebralPatriot]

Shaheen being a bowler who is injury prone already takes him out of contention for captaincy.

 

[FearlessRoar]

I agree with Malik. Being a leader and a good player are two different roles. Babar has failed to perform at every big event. He needs to focus on his game and bring fire in his confidence to perform at big stage. And it is only possible when he will focus on his abilities as player.

 

[hassan918]

He is likely to be the next captain but his own bowling form isn't going great. Rizwan can also be a good option.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Shaheen's fitness is a very big concern, so how would you deal with it if your captain remains absent from most of the matches?

 

[deltexas]

Shaheen's fitness is a very big concern, so how would you deal with it if your captain remains absent from most of the matches?

This. People don't realize or understand this concept. Shaheen has injury issues in half the matches he plays - that's just the nature off fast bowling . Plus he's rested in some. And even during a game- he bowls his quota , then goes to the dressing room to take a breather or hydrate or get physio work..Jeez this will be a disaster.

Try something that's not conventional. Give ifti a go.. no harm in trying..maybe Abdullah shafiq. For sure not rizwan though- can imagine pak team being a circus if he's the skipper. A unique solution would be get a new strong coach like justin Langer and make him like a football coach- he gets complete authority on selection and strategy and pak can just rotate different players as captains for each game.. so everyone in the team has to make it as a player and not just because he's the captain..

 

[Abdullah]

Well its kind of happened!

 

[FearlessRoar]

And PCB honored his suggestion.