Gary Kirsten granted authority to decide Pakistan's vice-captain: report

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Pakistan's head coach Gary Kirsten and his team management have been given full authority to make decisions regarding the vice-captaincy if necessary. 

This follows a significant decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors, who voted overwhelmingly against appointing a vice-captain for the upcoming European tour and the T20 World Cup. 

Despite rumors circulating on social media about Shaheen Afridi being offered the vice-captaincy, sources have confirmed that no such offer was made. Six out of seven selectors opposed the idea, effectively quashing any plans for appointing a deputy to current captain Babar Azam for the World Cup.

According to a media report, the decision was influenced by the previous regime's mishandling of leadership roles, which created a complex situation. 

“Since so many ifs and buts were involved due to mishandling of the captaincy and vice-captaincy issues by the previous regime six selectors believed that no one should be appointed as deputy to Babar Azam during the World Cup hence there was no point in offering vice-captaincy to anyone for the World Cup," the source told a local news channel.

Potential candidates for the vice-captaincy included Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, the selectors concluded that it would be more prudent to leave the position vacant.

“It was a better option not to offer the position to anyone for the World Cup,” the source further added.

The matters were further complicated by a controversial decision from the interim PCB Management Committee, which involved replacing Babar Azam with Shaheen Afridi as captain. This move, lacking the mandate for such changes, exacerbated the leadership dilemma and ignited competition for various leadership roles within the team. 

“That one wrong decision of shuffling with the captaincy complicated the issue and brought to the fore so many contenders creating an unnecessary race for different positions. A good majority of selectors for this very reason voted against appointing a deputy to Babar Azam during the World Cup," the source explained.

In light of these complications, the responsibility for appointing a vice-captain, if required, will now rest with Gary Kirsten and the team management. 

“If ever Babar leaves the field or is forced to skip a match, Gary will have the powers to decide on Babar’s deputy to marshal the field," the source concluded.

Thus, the PCB has left the decision of appointing a vice-captain open-ended, entrusting Kirsten and his team to manage any such needs during the World Cup.