Cricket

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, the prolific Pakistani batsman, has relinquished his captaincy of the national white-ball teams for the second time in less than a year. In a heartfelt statement, Babar cited the need to prioritize his batting and reduce his workload as the primary reasons for his decision.Babar's first stint as captain, which began in 2019, was marked by several notable achievements. Under his leadership, Pakistan secured multi-format series victories over South Africa, an ODI series triumph against Australia, and reached the semi-finals and final of two consecutive T20 World Cups.However, his second stint as captain, which commenced in April 2023, proved to be less successful. Pakistan managed to win only six out of 13 T20Is during this period, including a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign where they were eliminated in the first round after defeats to the USA and India.In his resignation statement, Babar expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his tenure as captain. He emphasized that the decision to step down was made in the best interests of his personal growth and the team's performance."It's been an honor to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role," Babar said. "Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it's added a significant workload. By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth."Babar's resignation has left a void in Pakistan's white-ball leadership. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce a replacement, but the team's next assignment is a tour of Australia in March, where they will play three T20Is and three ODIs.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reaffirmed its trust in Shan Masood as the Test captain for the upcoming international season. The decision was made during a meeting attended by senior board officials, national selectors, and coaches Jason Gillespie, Gary Kirsten, and Azhar Mahmood.Masood, who took over the Test captaincy ahead of the tour to Australia earlier this year, has received a complete vote of confidence. He will lead Pakistan in Test series against Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and the West Indies between August and January.However, the decision on Babar Azam's white-ball captaincy has been put on hold. Babar's performance as captain and batsman came under scrutiny during the recent T20 World Cup, where Pakistan suffered a disappointing exit.Sources indicate that Babar faced criticism for his lack of leadership skills and strength under pressure. The PCB is considering options and will make a decision on his white-ball captaincy in the future.Meanwhile, former Pakistan pacer Sarfraz Nawaz has called for the sacking of the entire selection committee, citing their collective incompetence in the T20 World Cup and the build-up to it. Nawaz specifically criticized the appointment of Wahab Riaz, who held various roles within the selection committee and management.The PCB is expected to announce a comprehensive blueprint for the national team in both red and white-ball formats in the coming days. The focus will be on improving performance and rebuilding the team's confidence after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign.