Former Pakistan international
The inquiry highlights growing concerns over the clarity of the team's hierarchy following a period of significant personnel changes. While the PCB has confirmed leadership roles for the respective formats, the omission of a deputy has left a notable void in the squad announcements, prompting Basit to demand transparency from the selection committee.
Leadership Shifts and Squad Uncertainty
The call for clarity comes amidst a major shake-up in Pakistan's white-ball setup.
In the ODI format, Shaheen Shah Afridi remains the designated captain. He is set to lead the team in a tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and England, which is scheduled to commence on October 18 in Rawalpindi. Despite the inclusion of senior players such as Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha in the ODI setup, the board has yet to name a vice-captain for the 50-over format, mirroring the situation in the T20I squad.
Squad Overhaul Following Recent Results
The current instability follows a challenging period for Pakistan cricket, marked by a loss in the Asia Cup final to India and an early exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. In response to these performances, the selectors have implemented several changes to the playing rosters. Babar Azam has been omitted from the T20I squad, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will focus solely on his ODI leadership duties, sitting out the T20I series against Sri Lanka.
The squads also feature the return of Naseem Shah to the T20I fold for the first time since the 2026 T20 World Cup. Additionally, Razaullah has earned his maiden white-ball call-up for both formats following a strong showing in the recent Test series against England. As the team prepares for the upcoming fixtures, the lack of a formal vice-captain remains a point of contention for observers monitoring the board's decision-making process.
