PCB relieves Shaheen Afridi of T20I captaincy and re-appoints Babar Azam as Pakistan skipper; also confirms schedule for Ireland tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made significant leadership changes in the national team, removing Shaheen Afridi as the T20I captain and re-appointing Babar Azam as the white-ball skipper. Afridi’s brief tenure came to an end following Pakistan’s series loss against New Zealand and his franchise’s poor performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Shaheen Afridi’s short-lived stint

Afridi, the young and promising pacer, took over the captaincy reins for the T20I side, but his leadership tenure was abruptly cut short after just one series. Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat in the T20I series against New Zealand, coupled with Lahore Qalandars’ dismal performance in the PSL, where they secured only one win out of ten matches.

Babar Azam’s return

Babar, who had stepped down from the captaincy earlier, has been reinstated as the white-ball captain following unanimous recommendations from the PCB’s selection committee. The decision signals a shift in leadership dynamics within the team.

“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” the PCB posted on X.

Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain

Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. pic.twitter.com/ad4KLJYRMK

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 31, 2024

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Confirmation of Ireland tour

In addition to the leadership changes, the PCB confirmed the schedule for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Ireland. Pakistan is set to play a three-match T20I series against Ireland, commencing on May 10 in Dublin. This series is part of Pakistan’s preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the USA and the West Indies.

Historical context

Pakistan’s last visit to Ireland was in 2018 for Ireland’s inaugural Test match. Despite initial plans for a T20I series in 2020, the matches were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming series marks a resumption of cricketing ties between the two nations.

Upcoming fixtures

Before heading to Ireland, Pakistan will host New Zealand for a five-match T20I series in April, followed by a tour of England, where they will play four T20Is starting May 22.

Pakistan tour of Ireland 2024, T20I series fixture:

• May 10: First T20I, at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin
• May 12: Second T20I, at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin
• May 14: Third T20I, at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin

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