Mohammad Rizwan replaces Babar Azam as Pakistan’s new white-ball captain | Cricket News
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NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I teams, signalling a new chapter in the nation’s cricket leadership.
The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter replaces Babar Azam, who stepped down following a string of underwhelming performances in major ICC tournaments.
The PCB has also appointed Salman Ali Agha as the vice-captain of the white-ball team, making a shift towards fresh leadership under Rizwan’s captaincy.
Rizwan’s appointment follows Pakistan’s group-stage exits from both the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Babar confirmed his resignation from the white-ball formats via a social media post.
Despite a brief reappointment earlier this year, Babar’s second tenure as white-ball captain failed to bring the desired results, leading the PCB to explore new leadership options.
Rizwan will begin his captaincy journey with Pakistan’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. The tour consists of three ODIs (November 4, 8, and 10) followed by three T20Is (November 14, 16, and 18) in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Hobart.
Known for his leadership skills, Rizwan previously led the Multan Sultans to their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in 2021.
With his experience and composure, Rizwan is expected to bring stability to Pakistan’s white-ball squads as they look to bounce back from recent disappointments in white-ball cricket.
Meanwhile, star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have been named in the squad for the Australia series but are set to be rested for the Zimbabwe tour later in the year.
Pakistan will also introduce fresh talent during the Australia series, with Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub, and Faisal Akram among the rising stars looking to make their mark.
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