Babar Azam’s sudden decision to step down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain has left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) scrambling to reevaluate its leadership structure. Babar, who was recently reinstated as Pakistan’s T20I captain prior to the T20 World Cup, made the announcement on Tuesday night, disrupting PCB’s initial plans for him to continue leading in the ODI format. Pakistan’s early exit from the group stage of the World Cup may have added to the pressure surrounding his decision.
The PCB had originally intended for Babar to remain as ODI captain, but his unexpected resignation has caused the board to reconsider its leadership approach. They are now contemplating the idea of appointing separate captains for each format to ease the workload on players in light of Pakistan’s intense international schedule.
Rizwan: Front-runner for White-ball Captaincy, but Questions Remain
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter and a consistent performer across all formats, is now seen as the favorite to take over the white-ball captaincy. However, Rizwan’s own workload management is a major point of concern. White-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, along with the PCB’s selection committee, has expressed doubts about Rizwan’s ability to manage the additional burden of captaincy while also playing in all formats.
Rizwan, much like Babar and Shaheen Afridi, is a key player in Pakistan’s Test, ODI, and T20I sides. With Pakistan facing a grueling schedule of 18 ODIs and T20Is across Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from November to December, followed by Test matches in South Africa and the West Indies, the pressure on Rizwan is significant. The team will then face an ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa, before concluding with the ICC Champions Trophy, a white-ball series in New Zealand, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
This heavy workload has raised questions about Rizwan’s capacity to lead effectively without compromising his performance or risking burnout.
Split Captaincy and Vice-captain Options Considered
In response to these concerns, the PCB is exploring the possibility of splitting the captaincy between the ODI and T20I formats to reduce Rizwan’s workload. Another option being considered is appointing a strong vice-captain who can step in when Rizwan requires rest, ensuring continuity and stability in leadership.
A number of players are under consideration for leadership roles, including Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Shan Masood. However, Kirsten has reportedly voiced concerns about finding a captain who can handle the pressure across multiple formats, especially in light of Babar’s recent struggles with confidence and form.
The PCB’s decision on the new leadership structure will need to strike a balance between managing player workloads and maintaining the team’s performance and stability, particularly as they navigate a challenging upcoming schedule.
