Despite reports in the Pakistani media suggesting that Shaheen Shah Afridi rejected the vice-captaincy, it has been learned that the selectors did not intend to name a vice-captain for the Twenty20 World Cup.
The 15-member squad for the tournament was announced on Friday.
Cricpulse can confirm that the minutes of the selection committee meeting explicitly stated there was no need for a deputy to Babar Azam for the tournament. Abdu
Sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board told Cricpulse that the topic of vice-captaincy was discussed but it was felt there was no need for one.
Hence, there was no question of the role being offered to anyone.
“The issue of vice-captaincy came up for discussion during Friday’s selection committee meeting, but it was agreed there was no need to recommend a vice-captain.
Therefore, no vice-captaincy offer was made to any player.
This is documented as it is part of the meeting minutes,” a source well-versed with the development told Cricpulse.
It can be further revealed that within the selection committee, only Yousuf was in favor of appointing a deputy to Babar Azam.
Since the overwhelming majority opposed the idea, it did not advance.
If there were any private conversations between Afridi and a selection committee member, it must have been outside the purview of the selection committee.
According to a PCB release, the side was confirmed on Friday afternoon following a two-hour selection committee meeting in Birmingham, which was attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Yousuf, and Wahab Riaz.
Razzaq, Asad, and Bilal joined the deliberations through video conferencing.
It is clear that Afridi is struggling with the ignominy of being snubbed, as his captaincy was taken away after only three games in New Zealand earlier this year.
This raises obvious questions about who will lead the team in the unforeseen circumstance of Babar being unable to take the field.
Cricpulse can confirm that coach Gary Kirsten has been authorized to nominate a vice-captain as a temporary arrangement.
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