Two more names emerge for white-ball captaincy following Babar Azam’s exit

After star batter Babar Azam's recent resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain, speculation is rife over who will take up the mantle next.

Among the leading contenders for the role are Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel, dynamic opener Fakhar Zaman, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha.

Reports indicate that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and pace bowler Shaheen Afridi have slim chances of being considered for the role, despite their leadership experience in other formats.

Saud Shakeel, who recently replaced Rizwan as Test vice-captain during Pakistan’s series against Bangladesh, is seen as a potential candidate.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman, who has captained Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), brings his own leadership experience to the table.

However, Salman Ali Agha, the least experienced among the three in terms of leadership, has yet to captain any side at the domestic level.

This leadership transition comes after Babar Azam’s decision to step down from the captaincy across all formats last November, following Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

In the aftermath, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed the T20 captaincy to Shaheen Afridi and the Test leadership to Shan Masood.

Babar returned as captain of the white-ball team in March of this year, but his latest resignation leaves the position once again up for grabs.

Rizwan and Haris in Line for Pakistan’s Captaincy

Previously, following Babar Azam’s resignation, Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as the top contender to take over Pakistan’s ODI captaincy.

Sources revealed that Rizwan’s consistent performances and leadership experience make him a strong candidate for the position.

The PCB is currently evaluating Rizwan’s suitability for the role, with a final decision expected soon.

Alongside Rizwan, Mohammad Haris is being considered for the T20 captaincy.

Head coach Gary Kirsten had previously recommended promoting younger players in the T20 format.

Haris, a rising star in Pakistan’s cricket, has caught the attention of selectors, and Kirsten’s report after the T20 World Cup suggested the youngster could be a good fit for the leadership role in T20Is.

While Haris’s potential appointment as the T20 captain remains under consideration, the final decision will only be made after consultations with the PCB and team selectors.

The board is taking its time to weigh the options and ensure the right candidates are selected for both formats moving forward.

Babar Azam Resigns as Pakistan Cricket Captain

Earlier this week, Babar Azam officially stepped down as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, announcing his decision via a post on X.

He had informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team management about his intentions last month.

Azam explained that he wanted to focus more on his own playing role and personal growth, which led to his resignation from the leadership position.

Despite stepping down from the role of skipper in November 2023, Babar had been reappointed by the PCB as the captain for both T20Is and ODIs on March 31.

However, the star batsman ultimately decided that stepping back from the captaincy would allow him to concentrate better on his batting performance and personal development.

Babar's decision marked the end of his long tenure as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball teams.

His leadership saw several highs, but Azam felt it was time to pass the torch to someone else, aiming to take his own game to new heights in the upcoming years.