Pakistan's newly-appointed T20I captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, vowed on Thursday to uphold the team spirit.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Shaheen said: ''I am honoured and thrilled to lead our national T20 cricket team. Thank you to the Pakistan cricket board and fans for their trust and support''.
He underlined the importance of unity in the team. Our success lies in unity, trust, and relentless effort. We are not just a team; we are a brotherhood, a family. Together, we rise!’’
I am honoured and thrilled to lead our national T20 cricket team. Thank you to the Pakistan cricket board and fans for their trust and support.
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) November 16, 2023
I'll give my best to uphold the team spirit and bring glory to our nation on the cricket field.
Our success lies in unity, trust and…
– Babar Azam steps down as team captain –
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan national team batter Babar Azam stepped down as the team captain in all formats after the World Cup debacle.
Taking to X, Azam said, "I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019."
“Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” he added.
Babar said: “Reaching the number 1 spot in the white-ball format was a result of the collective efforts of players, coaches, and management but I’d like to express my gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their unwavering support during this journey”.
“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call,” he said.