Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has provided a pointed response when requested whether or not he’ll stay on the helm for subsequent yr’s ODI World Cup, saying, “For now, I’m the captain.”Afridi’s feedback come amid contemporary hypothesis over Pakistan’s management construction, with experiences suggesting that former captain Babar Azam might finally be handed the management throughout codecs. With Pakistan having regularly modified captains in recent times, Afridi’s tenure has come beneath scrutiny regardless of being appointed ODI skipper solely final yr.Talking at a press convention with the captains of the Nationwide Champions Cup groups, Afridi was requested whether or not the Pakistan Cricket Board had confirmed that he would proceed as captain by means of the 2027 World Cup.“For now, I’m the captain,” Afridi replied.
Afridi shifts focus to World Cup preparations
Fairly than dwell on the uncertainty surrounding his place, Afridi turned his consideration to the Nationwide Champions Cup, which runs from August 11 to 18 and options Pakistan’s main home gamers.The left-arm pacer believes the event can play an vital function in constructing the depth Pakistan will want forward of the World Cup.“Each time we go to a World Cup, we face plenty of accidents. In case there are any accidents earlier than the World Cup, we are going to have already got gamers obtainable. The event pool will make it simpler for us to seek out replacements,” Afridi stated.He additionally confused the significance of permitting gamers to carry out of their most well-liked roles.“This event will give everybody a possibility to play based on their respective positions,” he stated.Afridi believes performances within the competitors might instantly affect Pakistan’s World Cup planning, with each type and health set to be monitored.“All of the gamers will attempt to put in good performances. As I stated, our focus is on the World Cup. Apart from particular person performances, the performances and health of different gamers will even be assessed,” he stated.
Captaincy uncertainty hangs over Pakistan
Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain in October 2025, changing Mohammad Rizwan. Nevertheless, Pakistan’s management construction has remained unsettled, with Babar reportedly again in rivalry for a bigger management function.Stories have instructed that the PCB might finally make Babar an all-format captain, though there was no official affirmation of such a transfer.Afridi, in the meantime, has confused that his quick focus stays on main the aspect and getting ready for the World Cup.Pakistan have a busy schedule forward of the 2027 ODI World Cup, together with tri-series commitments and a five-match collection in England. The upcoming home competitors will give the selectors one other alternative to evaluate the depth obtainable to Afridi and establish potential replacements ought to accidents strike.
