by Pakistan’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is all set to take over the captaincy role for the national team’s white-ball formats. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to make an official announcement soon. As the team prepares for its upcoming tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, Rizwan has emerged as a preferred candidate due to his consistency as a player and his proven leadership qualities in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), according to a PTI Report.
In recent meetings between PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, national selectors and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, Rizwan’s name has been in the spotlight as the main candidate to replace Babar Azam, who resigned as captain earlier this month to concentrate on his role Concentrate on hitting technique.
The selectors are expected to announce the white-ball squad by the weekend. The team is scheduled to depart for Australia immediately after the conclusion of the third Test against England on October 28.
A source within the PCB highlighted Rizwan’s leadership qualities and said, “His seniority and reliability as a player, as well as his experience in leading teams at various levels, made him the natural choice for this responsibility.”
Discussions over the captaincy have reportedly progressed, with Rizwan being consulted by key figures in the selection process, including Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali and Aleem Dar, who have sought his willingness to take up the role.
Pakistan’s schedule
Pakistan is expected to play a busy schedule of nine ODIs and nine T20 Internationals across the three countries, followed by two Test matches against South Africa before returning home. The selectors are also keen to add new talent to the squad while giving some senior players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, a chance to return after being rested in the last two Tests against England.
As the announcement draws closer, all eyes are on Rizwan, who looks poised to lead Pakistan’s white-ball resurgence.
The country is also set to host the Champions Trophy next year.
