Shaheen Afridi’s current captaincy status
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the current Pakistan ODI captain, has addressed ongoing speculation regarding his leadership role. When questioned about whether he would continue as captain for the upcoming ODI World Cup, Afridi stated, “For now, I am the captain.” These comments come amidst reports suggesting that former captain Babar Azam could potentially return to a broader leadership position across formats.
Afridi’s appointment as Pakistan’s ODI captain occurred in October 2025, succeeding Mohammad Rizwan. His tenure, however, did not come with a specified end date, contributing to the current uncertainty. The leadership structure of Pakistan cricket has seen frequent changes in recent years, and Afridi’s position has been under scrutiny despite his relatively recent appointment.
During a press conference with captains of the National Champions Cup teams, Afridi was asked directly if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had confirmed his captaincy through the 2027 World Cup. His response reiterated his current status: “For now, I am the captain.”
Focus on World Cup preparations and domestic talent
Amidst the discussions about captaincy, Afridi has shifted his focus to the National Champions Cup, a domestic tournament running from August 11 to 18. This competition features leading domestic players from Pakistan. Afridi believes the tournament is crucial for developing the squad depth necessary for the World Cup.
The left-arm pacer highlighted the importance of having a robust pool of players, particularly in light of potential injuries that teams often face before major tournaments. He noted, “Whenever we go to a World Cup, we face a lot of injuries. In case there are any injuries before the World Cup, we will already have players available. The tournament pool will make it easier for us to find replacements.”
Afridi also emphasized that the tournament provides an opportunity for players to perform in their preferred roles, stating, “This tournament will give everyone an opportunity to play according to their respective positions.” He anticipates that performances in this domestic competition will directly influence Pakistan’s World Cup planning, with both individual form and overall fitness being assessed.
He added, “All the players will try to put in good performances. As I said, our focus is on the World Cup. Besides individual performances, the performances and fitness of other players will also be assessed.”
Ongoing speculation regarding leadership
Reports have indicated that Babar Azam could be in contention for a larger leadership role, potentially as an all-format captain. Some reports suggest that the PCB has promised Babar the captaincy across all three formats, with consideration now being given to him leading the ODI team after being handed the Test captaincy.
However, selector Misbah-ul-Haq has reportedly rejected claims of Babar’s return to white-ball captaincy. According to journalist Sanaullah Khan, Misbah clarified that no such plan is being considered and the issue has not been raised within the Pakistan camp. Misbah dismissed these discussions as “rumours.”
Despite these conflicting reports, the re-emergence of Babar Azam as Test captain in July, following the demotion of Shan Masood, has fueled further speculation. Babar led Pakistan to a 1-1 draw in a two-Test series against the West Indies, which included an eight-wicket triumph for Pakistan in the second Test. This series also marked Pakistan’s first away Test win in over three years.
Afridi, meanwhile, has a strong track record as captain of Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, having led the franchise to three PSL titles in the last five years. This success had strengthened his case for national captaincy. However, the frequent leadership changes within Pakistan cricket have kept his position uncertain.
Pakistan faces a busy schedule leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, including a tri-series and a five-match ODI series in England. The upcoming domestic competition offers selectors another opportunity to evaluate the available talent and identify potential replacements in case of injuries.
The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The PCB will need to provide clarity on the captaincy as the tournament approaches.
Uncertainty surrounding future leadership
The situation surrounding Pakistan’s captaincy in different formats remains fluid. While Afridi maintains his role as ODI captain for now, the lack of a fixed tenure for his appointment contributes to the ongoing speculation. The return of Babar Azam as Test captain has intensified discussions about the possibility of consolidating all three formats under a single leader in the future.
One report suggested that Babar accepted the Test captaincy after assurances that he could eventually become Pakistan’s all-format captain. Sources reportedly indicated that two selectors had assured Babar that strong performances in upcoming Test series against the West Indies and England would lead to consideration for the all-format role. However, Misbah-ul-Haq’s statements contradict these claims.
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has also predicted that Babar will captain Pakistan at the 2027 ODI World Cup, adding another layer to the ongoing debate. Despite these predictions and reports, no official confirmation has been made by the PCB regarding a change in white-ball leadership.
The Pakistan team’s schedule ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup includes a home tri-series involving Sri Lanka and England, followed by another tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Ireland, likely to be held in Zimbabwe. These fixtures, along with the five-match ODI series in England, are part of their preparations for the tournament.
The PCB will eventually need to clarify its stance on the captaincy as the 2027 ODI World Cup draws nearer.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
