PCB Appoints Mohammad Rizwan as White-Ball Captain for Pakistan Cricket Team

PCB Appoints Mohammad Rizwan as White-Ball Captain for Pakistan Cricket Team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain of the national cricket team for One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals. Agha Salman has been appointed as the vice-captain. This decision follows Babar Azam’s recent announcement on social media, where he stepped down from his leadership role to concentrate on his playing performance.

Babar Azam Steps Down

On October 2, Babar Azam revealed his decision to resign as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball formats, emphasizing his desire to focus on improving his game. Following his resignation, the PCB tasked its national selection committee with identifying a suitable replacement for the captaincy.

Announcement by PCB Chairman

During a media briefing in Lahore, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi introduced Rizwan and Salman as the new captain and vice-captain, respectively, for the upcoming series against Australia and Zimbabwe. Naqvi highlighted that the selection committee worked diligently to finalize the squad, meeting the previous night to ensure thorough evaluations of all candidates.

“Our selection committee has put in significant effort,” Naqvi stated. “They considered every case before releasing the final list today.”

Interestingly, Rizwan was not included in the T20I lineup against Zimbabwe, raising questions about the squad’s composition.

Acknowledgment of Babar Azam’s Contribution

The chairman expressed high regard for Babar Azam, calling him an “asset” to Pakistan cricket. He noted that players of Azam’s caliber are rare and mentioned that Azam reached out to him regarding his decision to step down, having consulted his coaches beforehand.

Naqvi remarked, “He wants to focus on his game, and we all wish him to regain his form.”

After Azam’s departure from the captaincy, the PCB engaged in internal discussions involving the selection committee and mentors. Naqvi revealed that there was a strong consensus within the committee to appoint Rizwan as captain and Salman as vice-captain.

Looking Ahead

The PCB chairman expressed optimism for the future, stating, “I wish them the best and pray for their success.” He emphasized the importance of promoting young talent and respecting domestic cricket. Naqvi praised the selection committee for their hard work during the recent Test series against England, acknowledging their role in the team’s success.

In conclusion, with Rizwan and Salman at the helm, the PCB is looking forward to a successful series against Australia and Zimbabwe, believing that the new leadership will foster a strong team dynamic and enhance performance on the field.

Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *