Pakistan's ace speedster Shaheen Afridi is not interested in becoming national team's vice-captain ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, according to Geo News.
Sources close to Afridi have confirmed that the lanky pacer was approached for the role by the selection committee but he has declined the offer.
Afridi was removed as captain in March this year with Babar Azam replacing him in white-ball cricket.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is now a strong candidate to become the vice-captain after Afridi's refusal. Meanwhile, all-rounder Shadab Khan is also in the running for the role.
Yesterday, Pakistan had named their squad for the World Cup, which begins on June 1, in the United States and West Indies.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.
“This is an extremely talented and balanced side that has a mixture of youth and experience. These players have been playing together for some time and look well prepared and settled for next month’s event," the PCB said in a press release.
“Haris Rauf is fully fit and bowling well in the nets. It would have been nice if he had gotten an outing at Headingley, but we remain confident that he will continue to maintain an upward trajectory in the upcoming matches, as he will have an important role to play along with other strike bowlers in the T20 World Cup.”
Pakistan are in Group A of the event, alongside India, Ireland, Canada and USA.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 schedule
June 6: Pakistan vs USA, Dallas
June 9: Pakistan vs India, New York
June 11: Pakistan vs Canada, New York
June 16: Pakistan vs Ireland, Lauderhill
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.- Shaheen Afridi