Shahid Afridi set to get key role in PCB after Pakistan's World Cup 2023 debacle, meets PM and board chairman

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Amid Babar Azam side's poor run at the World Cup 2023 in India, Shahid Afridi has met Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq and PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf. The former captain is expected to take a key role in the Pakistan Cricket (PCB).

Shahid Afridi confirmed his meeting with PM Kakar to The News on Thursday. The PCB released a statement on Friday to confirm his meeting with Zaka Ashraf, whose tenure as the PCB chairman ends in two days.

Afridi has been vocal about Pakistan's poor run at the World Cup 2023 and has slammed captain Babar Azam on more than one occasion. He recently also criticised the PCB management after a WhatsApp chat between its COO and Babar was leaked to the media.

“I received a call from the PM Office Thursday and had to rush to Islamabad to meet the PM. It was really a pleasure talking to the PM on cricketing issues. He looked keen on the proper training of youth and grooming them in a systematic way so that they could go on to make a name for themselves and for the country,” Afridi said while sharing details of his meeting with the premier," Afridi told The News.

“What we need is grooming of cricketers in a systematic way. Unless we sincerely make efforts to nourish the available talent, we will not be in a position to make consistent progress at the international level," he added.

Shahid Afridi set to get key PCB role

The PCB almost confirmed Shahid Afridi joining the board on Friday. Its statement confirmed that Afridi has expressed his interest in grooming young cricketers into future stars.

"Former Test captain Shahid Afridi called on Chairman of the PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf today at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore," the statement from PCB said.

"During the meeting, Mr Zaka Ashraf acknowledged Shahid Afridi's dedication and contribution towards the game. He said: 'We admire you as a hero of Pakistan, and you have proved to be a great ambassador of the country with both your exceptional talent displayed on the field and your conduct off the field. We would love to have your experience for the betterment of Pakistan cricket'.

"Shahid Afridi expressed his interest in grooming young cricketers into future stars and positively shaping them into well-rounded representatives of Pakistan cricket. He also admired and appreciated Mr Zaka Ashraf's efforts and contributions for Pakistan cricket," it concluded.