Pakistan to Announce New White-Ball Captain After Kirsten's Departure

Pakistan's limited-overs head coach Gary Kirsten has returned to South Africa, leaving the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to finalize the successor to Babar Azam as white-ball captain. Kirsten's departure follows a period of assessment and consultation in Lahore and Faisalabad, where he observed the Champions Cup and met with selectors and board officials.

Kirsten will rejoin the Pakistan squad in Melbourne on October 29 for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Pakistan will play a total of 18 matches, including nine ODIs and nine T20Is, during the tour.

Sources within the PCB indicate that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are the frontrunners to replace Azam as captain. Kirsten and former Australia coach Jason Gillespie have reportedly discussed the captaincy issue with the selection committee.

The decision will be based on long-term considerations, including the candidates' behavior and recent performances. Rizwan is believed to be the favorite, with a younger player potentially serving as his deputy to manage his workload.

The PCB is expected to announce the new white-ball captain later this month. The appointment will be crucial as Pakistan prepares for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Tags: #PakistanCricket, #WhiteBallCaptaincy, #GaryKirsten, #MohammadRizwan, #ShaheenShahAfridi