Pakistan National Cricket Team’s leading wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is all set to take over as captain of the white-ball team, according to multiple reports.
Rizwan is one of the current best players in the Pakistan national cricket team and has delivered consistent performances for his team in all three formats of the game.
Pakistan white-ball captaincy post vacant since Babar Azam resigned
Babar Azam recently announced his decision to step down from the white-ball captaincy to send shockwaves through the cricket fraternity. It was the second time in 12 months that Babar had resigned from the captaincy.
After the Pakistan national cricket team’s failure in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar Azam was sacked as white-ball captain and himself resigned from the red-ball captaincy.
PCB named Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi as new Test and T20I captains, but no ODI skipper was named at the time.
Just after one series, Shaheen Afridi was sacked and Babar was reinstated as T20I skipper, and was expected to take over captaincy duties in the ODIs as well. However, before Pakistan’s first assignment in 50-over cricket since the ODI World Cup, Babar resigned from the captaincy.
Why Mohammad Rizwan is the favorite to become Pakistan’s white-ball captain?
According to a PTI report, Pakistan selectors Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafiq and Hasan Cheema met PCB president Mohsin Naqvi and held talks with white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten. about the new captain.
According to a source, Mohammad Rizwan is seen as the perfect successor to Babar Azam due to his seniority, reliability and experience.
“The third Test against England ends on October 28, and the team has to leave for Australia the next day, so the selectors will announce the white-ball team on Sunday,” a reliable source from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. .
“Rizwan, because of his seniority, his reliability as a player and because of his experience leading teams well in domestic cricket and the PSL, is one of the favorites to become white-ball captain,” the source said.
Notably, the selection committee has already held talks with Rizwan and sought his willingness to become the new captain of the team.
The selectors are also interested in having new young players – source PCB
Pakistan national cricket team is currently participating in the three-match test series against England national cricket team and after the series is over, they will travel to Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The Men in Green will play nine ODIs and as many T20Is in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, along with the two-match Test series against the Proteas.
In the upcoming white-ball matches, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are all set to make their return to international cricket after being recently released from the Test squad for the remainder of the Tests against England. Additionally, some new players will have opportunities on upcoming tours.
“The selectors are also interested in having new young players in the team, so it is very likely that they will announce different teams for the three tours to give exposure to more players and also rest for the seniors,” the source added.