Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes that Shadab Khan should not be dismissed as a future captain of the national team, saying that the all-rounder remains a reasonable leadership option given the current circumstances.

 

Speaking on a private TV sports transmission, Afridi said that Shadab’s long working relationship with coach Mike Hesson could influence captaincy decisions if the same coaching setup continues. 

 

Afridi highlighted their time together at Islamabad United as an important factor.

 

“Shadab Khan and Mike Hesson have been together with Islamabad United for a long time. If the same coach stays, then Shadab Khan will become captain,” Afridi said.

 

Afridi added that Pakistan does not have many strong captaincy alternatives at the moment. “I do not think Shadab Khan is a bad choice for captaincy. You do not really have any other captain available,” he said.

 

He also described Shadab Khan as a key member of the team but made it clear that leadership must come with consistent performances. 

 

“Shadab Khan is the backbone of the Pakistan team. You can make him captain, but he must perform so that no one gets a chance to question it,” Afridi said.

 

On a separate show, former Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad strongly criticised the team management and coaching staff over selection decisions. He claimed that leg-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was kept out of the side to make room for Shadab Khan.

 

Shehzad also questioned the decision to bench Abrar Ahmed, who is currently ranked second in the ICC T20 bowling rankings. “They even benched Abrar Ahmed, who is ranked second in T20s, just to play Shadab Khan,” he said.

 

According to Shehzad, the coaching setup has hurt the team’s balance. He argued that if Sufiyan Muqeem plays regularly, it would become difficult for Shadab to keep his place, and said there is a clear difference between the performances of Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan.

 

Shadab Khan’s form in the ongoing World Cup has also come under scrutiny. 

 

He has taken five wickets in four matches while conceding 93 runs, figures that have fueled debate over his place in the side and his readiness for a leadership role at this stage.