Mohammad Rizwan, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batter, has emerged as the frontrunner to lead Pakistan’s white-ball teams in the upcoming tours of Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the touring squad by Sunday, October 23rd.
The decision to appoint Rizwan as captain comes after Babar Azam stepped down from the role earlier this month, citing a desire to focus on his batting. Rizwan’s experience and leadership qualities have made him a strong candidate for the position.
“Rizwan is a front runner to become white-ball captain because of his seniority, reliability as a player, and experience of leading teams well in domestic cricket and PSL,” said a reliable source within the PCB.
The selectors have consulted with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten in the past two days. They are likely to include Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah in the white-ball squad after they were rested for the last two Tests against England.
The source also indicated that the selectors are keen to include some new young players in the squad to provide exposure and rest to senior players. Pakistan is scheduled to play nine ODIs and as many T20 internationals during the three tours.
Rizwan’s appointment as captain would mark a significant shift in Pakistan’s white-ball leadership. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor, as well as his ability to inspire his teammates. His experience in leading teams in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be invaluable in his new role.
