Published : 06 Dec 2015, 11:38 PM
Updated : 23 Apr 2022, 01:20 PM
The veteran Pakistan allrounder was officially selected captain following Mushfiq's decision to step down after being unable to take the pressure, says coach Sarwar Imran who has also hinted at pressure from outside.
Afridi surprised everyone by coming out for the toss before Sunday afternoon's match against Barisal Bulls.
"Mushfiq was not feeling comfortable. He is the one who told the team's owner – 'I want Afridi to lead'. Then he asked me [to be captain]," Afridi said during the toss.
Afridi went on to lead the Superstars to a nine-wicket drubbing of the Bulls to register their second win in seven matches.
Imran revealed the scenario of the change in leadership after the match.
"As far as I know, Mushfiq himself had said it would be better if the captain is changed…because of the huge pressure. [Mushfiq] is keeping (wicket), captaining, watching the wickets tumble; [he] lost two matches by 1 run, another by 6 runs… he just wanted a break."
"I don't know much about this. The team owner said last night we would have a meeting, it was fixed there."
Afridi had asked Mushfiq to continue as captain but the latter insisted, according to Imran.
In the press conference, Imran also hinted at some influence from outside in taking the decision but immediately withdrew his statement.
"Some changes were necessary. We had lost four matches, won the fifth, then lost again. So we wanted the change. No no, we didn't want it, no. Mushfiq was the one who wanted it."
Taking another question, Imran spoke of the role of the team management in the change of leadership.
"We had several small meetings after choosing the new captain. The new captain motivated the team that way. Mushfiq gave him full support.
"Our decision was that Mushfiq and Ravi Bopara would fully assist Afridi on the field. Things went accordingly on the field today.
"All three of them would be captains on the field – that was my plan. Afridi would be the official captain," Imran continued.
Mushfiq, however, has a history of stepping down when under pressure.
He abruptly relinquished the captaincy of Bangladesh after the failure of the Zimbabwe tour in 2013. He, however, withdrew the decision following BCB requests.
Later that season, Mushfiq also stepped down as Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club captain who had been on a losing streak.
