KARACHI / LAHORE
Differences have erupted between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and skipper Babar Azam, reportedly over appointment of Shan Masood as team’s vice captain.
Media reports claimed Tuesday that captain Babar Azam was unhappy with PCB’s decision to appoint Shan as vice captain in absence of Shadab Khan, who regularly assists Babar.
Therefore, Shan Masood was excluded from Pakistan Playing XI against New Zealand in the first One Day International (ODI), despite being the vice captain.
Media reports claimed that this enforced a disagreement between PCB officials and the selection committee, as the officials reportedly provoked the selection committee to adjust Masood in playing Eleven, or the playing Xi will not be approved.
However, Shahid Khan Afridi, the head of interim selection committee refused to oblige.
Following the tense situation, PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi finally interfered to avert the crisis and called Afridi on Monday morning. He assured the chief selector that there would be no change in the final XI.
Sources earlier revealed that Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam was not happy with the appointment of Shan Masood as vice-captain of national men’s ODI squad for the series against New Zealand.
