Shaheen Shah Afridi has firmly stated that he continues to hold the Pakistan one-day international captaincy, even as mounting reports suggest the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is moving to hand Babar Azam the reins across all three formats. The fast-bowling all-rounder's assertion, made on Monday, 10 August, comes amid a sweeping leadership overhaul triggered by a string of poor results on the international stage.

What Shaheen Said

When asked whether white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and influential selector Aqib Javed backed his continued tenure as ODI captain, Shaheen offered a wry smile before responding: 'Till now I am the captain.' The measured reply did little to dispel speculation that his days in charge of the 50-over side may be numbered.

The Babar Azam All-Format Push

According to reports, the PCB has already handed Babar the Test captaincy and is now considering extending that mandate to the ODI format as well. Sources indicate that Babar accepted the Test role on the condition that he be appointed skipper across all formats. Two selectors reportedly assured him that strong performances in the upcoming two Tests in the West Indies and three in England would pave the way for an all-format appointment. Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has predicted that Babar will lead the side at next year's ODI World Cup in Africa.

How Shaheen Got the Job — and the Pressure He Faces

Shaheen was appointed ODI captain in October last year, replacing Mohammad Rizwan, under whom Pakistan suffered a first-round exit at the Champions Trophy and lost a series to the West Indies for the first time in 24 years. He was installed without a fixed tenure, widely seen as a stop-gap ahead of the ODI World Cup. Shaheen has led the Lahore Qalandars to three Pakistan Super League (PSL) titles in the last five years, lending credibility to his leadership credentials — but domestic success has not insulated him from the PCB's revolving-door captaincy culture.

Pakistan's Crowded Road to the World Cup

Pakistan have a demanding preparatory calendar ahead of the ODI World Cup in Africa. The schedule includes a home tri-series against Sri Lanka and England, followed by a second tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Ireland — likely to be held in Zimbabwe — and a five-match series in England. Notably, even Babar's Test mandate is not open-ended; he has been appointed skipper only for the West Indies and England tours, reflecting the PCB's continued reluctance to commit to long tenures.

What Comes Next

The PCB's next move on the ODI captaincy is expected to become clearer after the West Indies Test series gets underway. If Babar delivers results, the board's stated condition for an all-format appointment will have been met — putting Shaheen's position under immediate scrutiny. Pakistan's captaincy instability has become a pattern in itself, and with a World Cup on the horizon, the board faces pressure to settle the leadership question sooner rather than later.