Babar Azam, a stalwart of Pakistani cricket, has been reappointed as skipper of the men’s national team, ODI and T20I format. Babar had relinquished his responsibility as Pakistan’s captain in all formats after the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup. But the PCB decided to give him the leadership responsibility of the team again, chaired by Mohsin Naqvi.
In a message, the Pakistan Cricket Board said: “Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain. Following unanimous recommendation from PCB selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball captain (ODI and T20I) of the Pakistani team.” men’s cricket team.”
Babar Azam appointed as white ball captain
On the unanimous recommendation of the PCB selection committee, chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as the white-ball captain (ODI and T20I) of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. pic.twitter.com/ad4KLJYRMK
— Pakistani cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 31, 2024
Babar will replace Shaheen Shah Afridi as the team’s T20I skipper. An ODI captain was once officially appointed by the PCB after Babar’s departure, while Shan Masood is the current Test captain, having led the side in a three-match series in Australia.
Masood will continue to lead Pakistan in Test despite a defeat in his previous assignment, against Australia. In the T20I spectrum, Pakistan lost Afridi’s first series as captain by a 4-1 margin. Fast bowler’s PSL side, Lahore Qalandars, could also not do much in the T20 competition, leading stakeholders to question his appointment as captain in the shortest format.
The current selection panel, according to PCB’s statement, has fully supported Babar’s return as captain of the team. The selection committee consists of Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf.
Babar’s first assignment after regaining the captaincy will be against New Zealand at home in a five-match T20I series before the Pakistan team takes on England away for another four T20Is. The big task will be the T20 World Cup later this year.
However, Babar’s appointment as skipper comes as a blow to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was hoping to lead the team in the T20 World Cup.
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