LAHORE: Following Babar Azam’s resignation, wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan emerged as the ‘strong candidate’ to lead Pakistan’s national cricket team.
According to local media reports, the relevant officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been instructed to consult with Rizwan regarding team selection. Despite the leadership change, Babar has reportedly been asked to continue as captain of the ODI team, as white-ball coach Gary Kirsten prefers him in that role.
The plan to appoint a new captain for the T20 format was part of Kirsten’s strategy for the team’s future, with discussions about this change taking place as early as July. During his visit to Pakistan that month, Kirsten shared a report on the T20 World Cup and met with Babar to address captaincy matters.
Babar was not included in any consultations related to his successor but did inform a top board official about his decision prior to announcing his resignation.
In a post on X, the former captain stated that stepping down would allow him to focus on his playing role and personal growth: “By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth,” the 29-year-old batter wrote.
