Babar likely to lose white-ball captaincy to Rizwan

LAHORE: Star batsman Babar Azam’s position as the white-ball captain is reportedly under threat. The move comes amidst growing captaincy concerns within the Pakistan cricket team. Sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering replacing Babar later this year, with wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan emerging as the leading candidate for the role.

Following a series of disappointing performances, including a whitewash in the recent Test series against Bangladesh, the PCB is contemplating a leadership change ahead of Pakistan’s tour of Australia, where they are scheduled to play three T20 internationals and three ODIs. Babar’s struggles in Test cricket, coupled with his underwhelming form, have added to the speculation surrounding his future as captain.

Mohammad Rizwan, who has consistently performed well, particularly in the recent Test series where he scored 294 runs as Pakistan’s top batter, is being considered for the captaincy role in white-ball formats. PCB insiders suggest that Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, has recommended Rizwan as a strong candidate for the position, given his leadership potential.

Rizwan’s name has also been discussed as a possible captain across all three formats, with sources indicating that a decision may be made before Pakistan’s tour of Australia in November.

Meanwhile, the Champions One-Day Cup captains have been announced, with Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris, and Saud Shakeel leading their respective teams. Notably, Babar Azam has not been given a captaincy role in the domestic tournament, further fueling speculation about his future as the national team captain.

Babar was reappointed as the white-ball captain in March 2024, after stepping down from the role in November 2023. However, under his leadership, the team’s performance has continued to falter, including their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. The recent series loss against Bangladesh has only intensified calls for a leadership overhaul. With the PCB actively exploring options for a new captain, Rizwan appears poised to take on the role, potentially leading Pakistan into a new era of white-ball cricket.