‘For now, I am the captain’: Shaheen Afridi responds to Babar Azam captaincy reports ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup | Cricket News
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has offered a pointed response when asked whether he will remain at the helm for next year’s ODI World Cup, saying, “For now, I am the captain.”Afridi’s comments come amid fresh speculation over Pakistan’s leadership structure, with reports suggesting that former captain Babar Azam could eventually be handed the leadership across formats. With Pakistan having frequently changed captains in recent years, Afridi’s tenure has come under scrutiny despite being appointed ODI skipper only last year.Speaking at a press conference with the captains of the National Champions Cup teams, Afridi was asked whether the Pakistan Cricket Board had confirmed that he would continue as captain through the 2027 World Cup.“For now, I am the captain,” Afridi replied.
Afridi shifts focus to World Cup preparations
Rather than dwell on the uncertainty surrounding his position, Afridi turned his attention to the National Champions Cup, which runs from August 11 to 18 and features Pakistan’s leading domestic players.The left-arm pacer believes the tournament can play an important role in building the depth Pakistan will need ahead of the World Cup.“Whenever we go to a World Cup, we face a lot of injuries. In case there are any injuries before the World Cup, we will already have players available. The tournament pool will make it easier for us to find replacements,” Afridi said.He also stressed the importance of allowing players to perform in their preferred roles.“This tournament will give everyone an opportunity to play according to their respective positions,” he said.Afridi believes performances in the competition could directly influence Pakistan’s World Cup planning, with both form and fitness set to be monitored.“All the players will try to put in good performances. As I said, our focus is on the World Cup. Besides individual performances, the performances and fitness of other players will also be assessed,” he said.
Captaincy uncertainty hangs over Pakistan
Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain in October 2025, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. However, Pakistan’s leadership structure has remained unsettled, with Babar reportedly back in contention for a larger leadership role.Reports have suggested that the PCB could eventually make Babar an all-format captain, although there has been no official confirmation of such a move.Afridi, meanwhile, has stressed that his immediate focus remains on leading the side and preparing for the World Cup.Pakistan have a busy schedule ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, including tri-series commitments and a five-match series in England. The upcoming domestic competition will give the selectors another opportunity to assess the depth available to Afridi and identify potential replacements should injuries strike.
