Shan Masood, who had been recalled into the ODI squad for the New Zealand series, was also announced as the team’s Vice Captain by the interim selection committee led by the former Pakistan player Shahid Afridi after 3 years. As per Pakistan media reports, when Azam was asked about Masood being made the vice-captain, he said he had no idea about it. Azam reportedly asked a selector, who informed him that even the selection committee was unaware of the decision. As per a statement by the PCB, the decision was taken by PCB chairman Najam Sethi. However, the Pakistan skipper questioned Shan’s inclusion in the team itself. “We can’t talk about any individual at the moment, whether he’s vice-captain or X, Y, Z,” Babar said on Sunday. “We will try to field our best playing 11 and try to win the series,” Babar further added.
While fans and former players of the Pakistan cricket team questioned what is happening between the current skipper Babar Azam and the selection committee, Sikandar Bhakt a former Pakistan cricket player expressed his criticism over both Babar Azam and Shahid Afridi and others in the selection panel.
He has said “It’s not a good statement. It’s actually very weird that you made him the vice-captain of the team… did Shahid Afridi not ask Babar before making Shan the vice-captain? He should’ve asked. Now Babar is saying he doesn’t know whether he is in the team or not. It’s not a good thing, I’ll request Shahid Afridi and the board to talk to Babar, not create a political scenario here. Talk and then take a decision. We are all Pakistanis, we will support every player,”.