Karachi, July 31— Shaheen Shah Afridi, the talented fast bowler, has clarified his stance on recent controversies surrounding his short stint as Pakistan's T20 captain. Afridi was appointed captain for only one T20 series before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replaced him with former skipper Babar Azam, who resumed leadership duties ahead of the T20 World Cup. The change sparked rumors of a rift between Afridi and Babar, which Afridi has now addressed.

In an interview, Shaheen Afridi emphasized his commitment to the Pakistan team, stating, "Playing for the Pakistan team is my first and foremost priority. Pakistan is my party, and its needs come first, before any personal considerations." Afridi dismissed any rumors of discord within the team, insisting that his focus remains solely on contributing to Pakistan's success on the field.

Reflecting on his brief captaincy, Afridi revealed that he never aspired to be a captain. "Becoming a captain was never my goal in life," he explained. "My aim has always been to support the team with my performance, not to seek leadership roles." Afridi expressed contentment in his role as a player and reiterated that his primary objective is to represent Pakistan with honor.

The PCB's decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain did not yield the desired outcome, as Pakistan failed to progress beyond the group stage in the T20 World Cup. With the team's performance under scrutiny, the PCB is reportedly considering further changes in leadership.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Afridi remains focused on the present. "The captaincy is not in my hands," he stated. "I never played my cricket for captaincy, and I don't think about it now. I want to play cricket for Pakistan, as long as it is honorable for me to play here."

As the PCB continues its search for a new captain, Afridi's comments have reassured fans of his dedication to the team. His emphasis on team unity and selfless attitude reflects a mature perspective, prioritizing the greater good of Pakistani cricket.