Shahid Afridi named new Pakistan T20 captain
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the new T20 skipper for the national cricket team. The 34-year-old is being reinstated to the post following the resignation of Mohammad Hafeez after their group stage exit in the World T20 held in Bangladesh earlier this year.
The right-handed Afridi is the most capped T20 cricketer for his country with 72 international appearances in the format. His 1112 runs have come at an average of 19.12, but has made up for it with 77 wickets at 22.61 per dismissal and at an economy rate of 6.48.
Afridi was also the Man-of-the-Match in the World T20 final in Pakistan’s victorious campaign in 2009 where he made an unbeaten 54 to guide the chase against Sri Lanka after his containing spell of 1/20 in 4 overs. The cricketer also holds the record for the most number of man of the match honours in T20Is with 9 awards, followed by Hafeez and Shane Watson who have 8 each.
The announcement comes a month before their next T20 fixture against Australia in October. Afridi has previously captained Pakistan in 19 T20Is and was the player of the tournament in the inaugural edition of World T20 in 2007.
After the one-off T20 against Australia, Afridi will be leading Pakistan in two T20Is against New Zealand in December.