Cricket

Babar Azam's resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain has sparked a search for his successor, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly considering three surprising options.Under Azam's leadership, Pakistan suffered a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage, losing to the USA and India. While Mohammad Rizwan remains a frontrunner for the captaincy, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel, and Salman Agha have emerged as potential candidates.According to a report by GEO Super, head coach Gary Kirsten is hesitant to appoint Zaman as captain due to his role as the team's first-choice wicket-keeper batter in all formats. The PCB aims to preserve Zaman's workload to prevent injuries.Azam announced his decision to step down last month, citing a desire to focus on his batting and reduce his workload. He had previously resigned as captain after Pakistan's poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup but was reinstated in March.However, his second stint as captain proved equally unsuccessful, with Pakistan failing to advance beyond the group stage of the T20 World Cup. Azam acknowledged the "significant workload" associated with captaincy and expressed a desire to prioritize his personal growth and family time.The PCB is now tasked with finding a suitable replacement for Azam. Rizwan, who has captained Pakistan in the past, is a strong contender. However, the emergence of Zaman, Shakeel, and Agha as potential candidates adds an element of intrigue to the selection process.The decision will ultimately rest with the PCB, which must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and determine who is best suited to lead Pakistan's white-ball teams.

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.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a crucial decision in appointing a new white-ball captain following Babar Azam's recent resignation. Amidst Pakistan's recent struggles and mounting criticism, the choice of skipper will be closely scrutinized.Former Pakistan cricketer Mudassar Nazar believes the PCB has limited options and will likely appoint Mohammad Rizwan as the next captain. "They've tried everyone except Rizwan. They'll have to make him the captain," Nazar said. He suggests that appointing a senior player as captain and grooming a successor under them would be a wiser move.Pakistan's poor run in white-ball cricket began with their disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the semifinals. The T20I team under Babar suffered a shock group stage exit from the T20 World Cup, losing to minnows USA. The Test team also endured an embarrassing 2-0 whitewash at home against Bangladesh.Nazar attributes Pakistan's recent struggles to frequent captaincy changes, which have led to divisions within the team. He advocates for Rizwan to lead all three formats, arguing that stability in leadership is crucial.Pakistan's next challenge is a three-Test series against England at home. The performances of senior players will be under intense scrutiny as the PCB seeks to rebuild and regain its former glory.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing criticism for failing to pay its players' salaries for four months. The issue affects both the men's and women's national teams, including star players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.The men's team, which recently awarded 25 senior players three-year contracts, has not received their salaries from July to October. According to reports, the contracts are under review due to the team's poor performance. Despite repeated reminders, the players have been left waiting for their payments.The women's team, which is on a 23-month contract since August 2023, is also facing salary delays. Their contract was set to be reviewed after 12 months, but the process is still ongoing. The PCB has stated that the contracts will be offered with effect from July 1, 2024, once the lists are finalized and approved.The salary delays have come at a crucial time for both teams. The men's team is set to face England in a three-match Test series at home, starting October 7. The women's team is currently in the United Arab Emirates for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which kicked off on October 3.The PCB's financial struggles have been attributed to a lack of sponsorship and revenue. The board has been criticized for its handling of the situation and for failing to prioritize the welfare of its players. The salary delays have raised concerns about the future of Pakistani cricket and the morale of the national teams.

Babar Azam's resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain has sparked a debate about the team's future leadership. Former wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif believes Babar's decision will pave the way for his return to form as the team's premier batsman.Latif praised Babar for stepping down, saying it will alleviate the pressure on him and allow him to focus on his batting. He criticized Babar's captaincy, claiming that it damaged the team's performance in recent World Cups.With Babar's departure, the frontrunner for white-ball captaincy is wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan. However, Latif advised Rizwan against taking on the role, suggesting that he should give others a chance.Latif proposed alternative candidates for ODI captaincy, including Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha. He emphasized the importance of leadership qualities, citing Imran Khan and Younis Khan as examples of successful leaders who guided Pakistan to World Cup victories.Latif criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its lack of leadership and division within the organization. He believes that Pakistan will need to wait until the Champions Trophy next year to find a true leader for the team.

Mohammad Rizwan is poised to succeed Babar Azam as Pakistan's white-ball captain, according to Geo News. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly set to hold meetings with Rizwan to discuss team selection.Azam's resignation as captain came after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage. Despite being the tournament favorites, Pakistan suffered a shock defeat to co-hosts USA in their opening match.During Azam's tenure as captain, Pakistan failed to win a major tournament. They were eliminated from the Asia Cup in the Super 4 stage in 2022 and failed to reach the knockout stage of the ODI World Cup in India later that year.Azam's decision to step down as captain is seen as a move to prioritize his batting performance. He has been a prolific run-scorer for Pakistan, amassing over 5,000 runs in ODIs and 4,000 runs in T20Is.Rizwan, who has been Azam's deputy in the white-ball formats, is a natural leader and a respected figure within the team. He has been in excellent form with the bat, scoring over 1,000 runs in T20Is in 2023.Pakistan will face England in a three-match Test series on home soil in October. The first Test will begin on October 7 in Multan, followed by the second Test on October 15, also in Multan. The final Test will be held in Rawalpindi from October 24 to 28.

Babar Azam's immense popularity among Pakistani cricket fans is undeniable. However, during a recent Champions Cup 2024 match between Stallions and Dolphins, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed engaged in some light-hearted sledging directed at Babar.As Babar walked out to bat after his team won the toss and elected to bat first, Sarfaraz, who was mentoring the Dolphins franchise, couldn't resist a playful dig. "No hurry, no hurry. Tell them to keep chanting 'Babar, Babar.' Let Babar play 40 overs and we'll get the others out," Sarfaraz quipped, his comments captured by the stump microphone.Despite the playful banter, Babar remained unfazed and went on to score his first century in the competition. The Pakistan T20I captain reached the triple-figure mark in 99 balls, finishing on 104 off 100 deliveries with seven boundaries and three sixes.However, Babar's tenure as white-ball captain may be nearing its end. Recent reports have suggested that Mohammad Rizwan is emerging as the frontrunner to replace Babar as skipper. This news has sparked mixed reactions from fans and former Pakistan cricketers.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his support for Rizwan to take over the captaincy. "The way Rizwan led the side, he proved there is no better skipper than him. He has shown it with his captaincy. He read the pitch; it is a big thing. Even Babar can't do that," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Whether Babar will continue as captain or Rizwan will take over remains to be seen. However, one thing is for sure: the competition for the captaincy is heating up, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months.

Pakistan's Champions One-Day Cup: Stallions Captain's Unusual Reaction to LossIn a surprising turn of events, Mohammad Haris, captain of the Stallions in Pakistan's Champions One-Day Cup, expressed satisfaction after his team's heavy defeat to the Mohammad Rizwan-led Markhors. The Stallions conceded a staggering 231 runs in just 20 overs, with Iftikhar Ahmed and Salman Agha scoring half-centuries for the Markhors. In response, the Stallions were bowled out for a meager 105, with Zahid Mahmood taking five wickets.During the post-match presentation, Haris's comments raised eyebrows. "There was no mistake. We did what we wanted to do. We were checking the team's strength," he said. "In the first match, we won the toss and chose to bat. Today, we chased, so that we could understand our strength. That's exactly what happened. We're happy that we lost."Haris's remarks, as a senior Pakistan player, drew criticism from fans on social media. Many questioned his attitude and suggested that he was not taking the tournament seriously.The Stallions' defeat was their second in the tournament, having lost their opening match to the Dolphins. They will face the Dolphins again on Thursday in their next match.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has strongly advocated for Mohammad Rizwan to replace Babar Azam as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team. Ali believes that Rizwan's exceptional leadership skills, particularly his ability to read the pitch and adapt his tactics accordingly, make him the ideal candidate for the role.Ali's endorsement of Rizwan stems from his observations of Rizwan's captaincy during the Champions One-Day Cup match between Markhors and Stallions. Rizwan's astute decision-making and tactical adjustments played a pivotal role in Markhors' impressive 126-run victory.After posting a modest total of 231, Markhors faced an early setback when Babar Azam struck five consecutive fours off Shahnawaz Dahani's bowling. However, Rizwan swiftly changed tactics, denying Dahani further overs and introducing a mix of spinners and pacers.This strategic move proved highly effective. Naseem Shah dismissed Shan Masood, triggering a collapse in the Stallions' batting lineup. The spin duo of Zahid Mahmood and Salman Ali Agha then ran through the remaining batters, securing a comprehensive victory for Markhors.Ali praised Rizwan's ability to read the pitch and adjust his tactics accordingly, a skill that he believes neither Babar Azam nor Test captain Shan Masood possess. He emphasized that Rizwan's leadership qualities were evident in his ability to inspire his team and make quick, decisive decisions."The way Rizwan led the side, he proved there is no better skipper than him," Ali said. "He has shown it with his captaincy. He read the pitch; it is a big thing. Even Babar can't do that. I am not even talking about Shan. If you don't make him captain at this time, then it is a loss for Pakistan. This is the best time you should make Rizwan the captain."Ali's comments have sparked a debate among fans and former cricketers, with some supporting his view and others expressing reservations. However, Rizwan's impressive leadership record and his ability to adapt to different situations make him a strong contender for the captaincy role.