Will Pakistan have three different captains in international cricket?
Babar Azam, Pakistan's star batter, has unexpectedly stepped down as the team's white-ball captain. This decision was announced late Tuesday night and has caused a stir within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The board had recently reinstated him as T20I captain ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, Azam had a disappointing campaign where Pakistan failed to advance beyond the group stage. Fresh reports suggest that the PCB is mulling over deploying three different captains.
Azam's decision to focus on personal growth
Azam explained his decision to resign was driven by a desire to concentrate more on his game and personal growth. He stated, "By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth." This unexpected move has disrupted PCB's plans as they had intended to retain him as the ODI captain.
PCB considers leadership restructuring post-Azam's resignation
In response to Azam's resignation, the PCB is contemplating a change in its leadership structure. The board is considering appointing separate captains for each of the three cricket formats, as per PTI. This potential shift is aimed at addressing concerns related to managing the workload of players amidst a demanding international schedule.
Rizwan emerges as potential white-ball captain
Following Azam's resignation, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as a potential candidate for the white-ball captaincy. His consistent performance across all formats makes him a strong contender. However, concerns have been raised about his ability to handle the intense workload associated with both playing and leading in all formats.
Concerns over Rizwan's workload management
The upcoming schedule for Pakistan is challenging, with a series of ODIs and T20Is planned across Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. This will be followed by two Test series, in South Africa and against the West Indies at home. The demanding calendar has sparked concerns about Rizwan's ability to manage both playing and captaining roles effectively.
