Mohammad Rizwan Named Pakistan’s New White-Ball Captain, Replacing Babar Azam; Salman Ali Agha Appointed as Deputy

In a strategic move, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Mohammad Rizwan as the new white-ball captain, replacing Babar Azam. Salman Ali Agha will serve as vice-captain, a leadership duo anticipated to bring fresh momentum to Pakistan’s ODI and T20 team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday that senior wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain, succeeding Babar Azam. Salman Ali Agha has been named vice-captain, marking a new chapter in Pakistan’s limited-overs cricket. Rizwan, who debuted in white-ball cricket in 2015 and boasts over 5,000 runs with four centuries, expressed deep gratitude for the honor, stating his commitment to lead the team with his “absolute best.”

Rizwan’s first assignment as captain will be Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Australia, scheduled to kick off on November 4. The tour includes three ODIs and three T20Is, with the opening match set to be held in Melbourne. Following the Australia tour, Pakistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is against Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5, although Rizwan will be rested for the T20 matches as part of a workload management plan, allowing Agha to lead the T20 side in his absence.

PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that Babar’s decision to step down was voluntary, aiming to focus on his batting. “Babar expressed his desire to resign and focus solely on his playing performance,” Naqvi clarified, underscoring that the decision came after consulting selectors and team mentors who unanimously recommended Rizwan for the role.

The Pakistan squads for both tours feature several uncapped players, indicating the selectors’ intent to expand the player pool. Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain returns to the ODI squad after a long absence, while newcomers like Aamir Jamal, Faisal Akram, and Jahandad Khan have also been called up.

Commenting on his appointment, Rizwan described the captaincy as an incredible privilege. “To be entrusted with leading such a talented team is a tremendous honor. Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans,” he said, also highlighting the long-term vision to build a stronger squad for upcoming tournaments like the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup.

PCB’s selection strategy aims to use the Zimbabwe series to test emerging talent, particularly with senior players like Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan not included. Fakhar’s recent disciplinary issue over a tweet supporting Babar’s captaincy added complexity to his selection, as the PCB disciplinary committee will review his case.

The cricket world now waits to see how Rizwan will lead Pakistan through an intense schedule and how this shift in leadership could impact the team’s dynamic in white-ball cricket. With Rizwan at the helm, fans hope to see Pakistan’s white-ball team reach new heights and make an impactful return to the international stage.

image credit: www.geo.tv

read also:Historic Win for New Zealand! India Faces Crushing Defeat in Pune as Mitchell Santner Dominates