KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will look into comments made by stand-in skipper Shahid Afridi which fuelled speculation about the future of captain Misbahul Haq, board chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Tuesday.

A show-cause notice was issued to Afridi by the cricket board asking the all-rounder to submit his reply within two weeks over comments made regarding the issue of the national cricket team's captaincy.

The 40-year-old Misbah had opted to sit out Pakistan's third one-day international against Australia in Abu Dhabi and all-rounder Afridi was named to lead the side.

Afridi's comments at a news conference gave rise to speculation that he was in line to lead the team during next year's World Cup and hinted at strife within the team.

Khan stepped in to defuse the controversy and reiterated that Misbah would remain in charge through next year's showpiece event in Australia and New Zealand.

“As far as the PCB is concerned, we are supporting Misbah and he is our captain till the World Cup,” Khan said. “The remarks made by Afridi are regretful and unfortunate and perhaps gave the indication of something wrong in the team.

Also read: When they chanted "Go Misbah Go!"

“We are looking into Afridi's statement to see whether he has violated his central contract terms and if this is so disciplinary action can be taken against him.”

The 34-year-old Afridi, who has played 384 ODIs, said he was ready to lead the team and the board should decide quickly who they wanted as captain in the World Cup.

His remarks fuelled speculation that Misbah, who has been leading Pakistan since 2010, was put under pressure to step aside for the third ODI.

Khan said Afridi should have been more careful with his words and added that Misbah had himself opted to sit out because he was worried with his form.

More on this: Misbah can lead or leave, says PCB chief

“I had a long talk with Misbah and he remains our captain but he himself has said that if he doesn't get runs in the coming tests against Australia and New Zealand he doesn't want to be a burden on the team,” Khan said.

Misbah has been Pakistan's leading run scorer in tests and ODIs over the last three years but has struggled since the tour to Sri Lanka in August.

He also failed to get runs in the first two ODIs against Australia, who swept the three-match series.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...