Babar led for years, Rizwan lasted months: Afridi questions PCB's approach

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy and the team selection for the ongoing series against New Zealand.

Afridi, who is known for his outspoken nature, expressed his disappointment over what he sees as inconsistency in leadership decisions and a flawed approach to team selection.

The former cricketer questioned the PCB’s decision to remove Rizwan from the captaincy after just six months, while Babar Azam was given nearly four years to lead the team. “Babar was given time to prove himself as a captain, which was a good move,” Afridi said.

“But Rizwan was handed the leadership role for only six months. How can an individual take responsibility if they are uncertain about the duration of their role?”

The former all-rounder also criticized Pakistan’s team selection for the New Zealand tour, pointing out that domestic performers were overlooked, and the squad lacked balance.

“We are not making selections based on the conditions. Players with just ten to eleven first-class matches are sent on the New Zealand tour where the conditions are so tough,” he said, adding that when spinners were needed, pacers were picked instead.

Afridi particularly expressed his frustration over the continuous benching of players like Usman Khan and Mohammad Hasnain. “These players have been kept on the bench for too long,” he said.

Afridi emphasized that workload management is crucial for the team’s key players, including Babar, and suggested that players should be given proper rest to maintain peak performance.

“Players need to be given breaks, whether it’s Babar Azam or anyone else,” he said, underscoring the risk of burnout.

The former captain also highlighted Pakistan cricket’s broader structural issues, emphasizing the need for stability at the management level. “Pakistan cricket doesn’t just need a permanent head coach, it also needs a permanent chairman,” he said.