Key Highlights
- Shahid Afridi believes Shadab Khan will be the new captain if Mike Hesson stays as head coach.
- Afridi highlighted Shadab’s strong relationship with Hesson from their time at Islamabad United in PSL.
- Pakistan’s campaign is hanging by a thread, needing to defeat Sri Lanka or hope for New Zealand to lose to England.
- Shadab faced criticism after poor performances but showed promise against Namibia.
The Shifting Leadership Dynamics in Pakistan Cricket
You might think this is new, but…
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has weighed in on the ongoing leadership debate in Pakistani cricket. With Mike Hesson set to continue as head coach, Afridi believes that Shadab Khan will take over as captain if Hesson remains.
Afridi’s Insight into the Captaincy Controversy
“If Mike Hesson stays on as the coach, then I think Shadab Khan will be made the captain. They have a connection and go back a long way,” Afridi stated on Samaa.TV.
The T20 World Cup Hangs in Balance
With Pakistan’s campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026 hanging by a thread, discussions around leadership are inevitable. The team must defeat Sri Lanka or hope for New Zealand to lose to England if they want to progress.
The Crucial Match Against Sri Lanka
“To progress, Agha’s men must defeat Sri Lanka in Pallekele by 65 runs or chase down the target with 40 balls remaining to surpass New Zealand on net run rate,” Afridi added.
Shadab Khan’s Struggles and Potential
Shadab Khan has not been having an easy time. After a poor performance against India, Afridi had even suggested that Shadab be left out of the team. However, after a strong all-round display against Namibia, he showed his potential.
Afridi’s Mixed Feelings
“Shadab is not a bad choice, but if his performance as a bowler was better, then it would have been great,” Afridi said. “We need Shadab to come up with consistent performances. If that comes, we will also feel good about calling him the captain.”
Other Experts Weigh In
Shoaib Malik, another former Pakistan cricketer, also hinted at a leadership change. “Shadab’s name has started doing the rounds as far as captaincy is concerned,” he said on ARY News.
The Current Situation in Super 8 Stage
As of now, Pakistan are yet to register a win in the Super 8 stage. Their fixture against New Zealand was washed out, while they suffered a narrow defeat to England, leaving their semi-final fate dependent on a dramatic turnaround.
So, who will lead the team? Time will tell if Afridi and Malik’s predictions come true or if the current leadership remains intact in Pakistan cricket.
