Shaheen Afridi to lose captaincy, Babar Azam set to be reinstated as skipper: Sources

The practice of Pakistan to alternate captains has always proven problematic. When Babar Azam, a mainstay of contemporary cricket, took on the leadership role in recent years, this appeared to be the end of it. But the uncertainty surrounding the captaincy has returned since his resignation following Pakistan's disastrous November 2023 elimination from the ODI World Cup, where they were unable to advance to the semi-finals.

Shaheen Afridi was handed captaincy duties in T20Is but now, as per the Espncricinfo, Babar Azam is set to be reinstated as Pakistan's T20I skipper. The report further reveals that the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Babar earlier this week to make the offer.

The report further reveals that Babar Azam has not yet accepted the offer and has asked the PCB to be appointed captain across all three formats if he is to consider a return.

Babar was removed as captain in the white-ball format immediately after the World Cup when Zaka Ashraf was PCB chairman. He then opted to step down as red-ball captain as well.

Babar had held the position of captain in all formats since 2020 but poor performances in the Asia Cup and World Cup led to his axing.

Pakistan's next series, which Babar is expected to lead his side out for once more, comes against New Zealand in April, with the two sides playing five T20Is.

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