Former Pakistani legendary pacer Wasim Akram has hit back at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for being involved in too much politics after the Babar Azam-led side made an early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Akram took a shot at the PCB for creating an unnecessary controversy after they sacked Shaheen Shah Afridi from Pakistan’s T20I captaincy in the run-up to the World Cup 2024.
Notably, Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s T20I captain on November 2023, replacing Babar Azam, however, Moshin Naqvi, the new PCB chief reinstated Babar Azam to the leadership position weeks before the T20 World Cup 2024, sacking Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Akram, dejected with Pakistan’s dismal show at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, criticised the PCB and cited frequent changes in the top positions as one of the key reasons for Pakistan’s inconsistent performances.
“Three chairmen [PCB] changed in one year. Ramiz Raja was removed, and Najam Sethi came for three months. Sethi left, and Zaka Ashraf came. After four or five months, Mohsin Naqvi came. How would the team stay consistent?” Wasim Akram questioned during a conversation with Sportskeeda.
The legendary pacer felt relieved not being involved with the PCB and said, it’s a “blessing in disguise.”
“They don’t take our suggestions, and it’s great that I am away from Pakistan cricket. It’s a ‘blessing in disguise’ because it is just criticism, politics,” he added.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan in a solitary T20I series against New Zealand, resulting in a 4-1 loss to Pakistan. Following the series, Afridi was sacked as the T20I captain and Babar Azam was reinstated.
“Babar Azam was removed from captaincy, Shaheen was appointed. He lost one series, and the chairman was also changed in the same period; therefore, they changed the skipper. This is just not on; people make fun of us in world cricket,” he said.
Shaheen Shah Afridi should be given a long rope: Akram
Wasim Akram emphasises keeping stability in the leadership position. He advocated giving at least a year-long run to Shaheen Shah Afridi at the top to see if he is a worthy candidate for leadership or not.
“He’s a wicket-taking bowler. He goes for wickets. He attacks with the new ball in the T20 format. Everyone knows that he’ll pitch it up, but he still gets them out, and that’s what I love about him,” he said.
“At least give Shaheen a year to lead, and then he could be changed, but I don’t know. He’s an aggressive cricketer, only 23 or 24 years old, maybe younger. Got a bright future ahead. He’ll get the captaincy again but should focus on his game until he doesn’t get it,” he concluded.
After the first group round, Pakistan was eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2024. The Babar Azam-led side faced humiliation at the hands of USA before Rohit Sharma’s Team India dominated them in New York.