PCB officials urge Shan Masood’s selection, Babar Azam unhappy

A big controversy arose over the selection of Shan Masood as the left-handed batsman was not included in the playing XI of the first one-day international (ODI) against New Zealand in Karachi. 

Captain Babar Azam and the selection committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) left out the vice-captain from the team on Monday. 

After receiving the news, some board officials forced the interim chief selector Shahid Afridi to either adjust Masood in the playing XI or they would not approve the team, sources revealed. 

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Afridi reportedly refused their demand of making a sudden change citing Masood was not a part of their initial plan.

Following the tense situation, PCB Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi finally interfered to avert the crisis and called Afridi on Monday morning. He assured the chief selector that there would be no change in the final XI. 

Sources earlier revealed that Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam was not happy with the appointment of Shan Masood as vice-captain of national men’s ODI squad for the series against New Zealand. 

Shadab Khan, who is the regular vice-captain for the national team in ODIs, was ruled out from the ongoing three-match series due to finger injury. In his absence, the board had to appoint a new vice-captain.