Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has ignited fierce debates over the team’s leadership future. In a bombshell interview, legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has unleashed scathing criticism on Shadab Khan, declaring he wouldn’t even retain the all-rounder in the squad, far from handing him the captaincy.
The Men in Green failed to advance beyond the Super 8 stage for the fourth consecutive ICC event, leaving fans heartbroken and questioning the direction under current skipper Salman Agha. Reports suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board might overhaul leadership, with Shadab and pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi as frontrunners. But Afridi senior begs to differ.
Speaking to Sama TV, the former captain minced no words: ‘Looking at his performances, I wouldn’t keep him in the team, let alone give him captaincy.’ Shadab’s World Cup stats—118 runs and five wickets in seven games—did little to impress, especially amid constant backing from coaches like Mike Hesson.
Afridi pointed to Hesson’s history with Shadab from Islamabad United in PSL, which paved his path to Pakistan’s setup. ‘I once said Shadab could be next captain, but now he doesn’t deserve a spot in the playing XI,’ he asserted. Pakistan’s campaign started brightly with wins over Netherlands by three wickets and USA by 32 runs, but a 61-run thrashing by India and a rain-affected draw followed by a two-wicket loss to England sealed their fate. A narrow five-run win over Sri Lanka wasn’t enough for semis.
Leadership instability plagues the side—Agha became the fourth T20 captain in 12 months, managing just 60 runs at an average of 10 in the tournament. Afridi advocates aggression, endorsing explosive opener Fakhar Zaman: ‘In current scenario, I’d back Fakhar. We need an aggressive leader, and he’s the only fit.’
As PCB deliberates major decisions on team combination and captaincy ahead of T20 World Cup 2026, Afridi’s words signal turbulent times for Pakistan cricket, demanding bold reforms to reclaim glory.