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.
