The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in a dilemma regarding the appointment of a new white-ball captain following Babar Azam’s resignation from the role late on Wednesday night. With the Pakistan team set to embark on a jam-packed international calendar, the board is now grappling with the prospect of potentially appointing separate captains for the ODI and T20I formats.
Babar Azam’s Resignation: A Significant Setback
Babar Azam, who had been leading Pakistan in all three formats since 2020, tendered his resignation from the ODI captaincy, citing the need to focus on his batting. The decision came as a surprise to many, especially as Babar was widely expected to retain the captaincy for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. His exit from the role has prompted the PCB and the team management, including head coach Gary Kirsten, to reconsider their approach to leadership in the shorter formats.
Workload Management: A Key Concern
Sources within the PCB suggest that Muhammad Rizwan has emerged as the “obvious” choice to take over as the new white-ball captain. Rizwan, who is an automatic selection across all formats, is seen as a natural leader. However, there are concerns about his workload, as he is expected to play a significant number of matches over the coming months, with Pakistan scheduled to play 18 ODIs and T20Is in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa between November and December. This will be followed by a two-test series in South Africa and more international engagements in early 2024.
With Rizwan’s heavy involvement in all formats of the game, red-ball coach Jason Gillespie and white-ball coach Gary Kirsten are both worried about the potential physical and mental toll of captaining the side in ODIs and T20Is while also fulfilling his duties as a wicketkeeper.
The Option for Separate Captains
Given the growing concerns about workload management, the PCB is reportedly considering splitting the leadership across the two formats. This would allow Rizwan to focus on his role as wicketkeeper-batter without the added responsibility of captaincy in both formats. One possible solution being discussed is the appointment of a strong vice-captain who could take the reins in either the ODI or T20I formats, giving Rizwan the necessary breaks to manage his workload effectively.
Candidates for Leadership Roles
Among the potential candidates for the white-ball captaincy are Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shadab Khan, the experienced leg-spinner and deputy to Babar Azam in the T20I format, is considered a frontrunner for the role. His leadership skills have been proven during his tenure as T20I captain, and his ability to handle pressure makes him a strong candidate for the ODI or T20I captaincy.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a senior figure in Pakistan’s bowling attack, is also under consideration for a leadership role. However, Shaheen was Pakistan’s T20I captain for a short spell before Babar’s reappointment. Plus, he is an all-format player, so leadership can add an extra burden to his bowling workload. This is the reason selectors are weighing the pros and cons of appointing him as captain.
The Role of Gary Kirsten and the Selection Committee
Gary Kirsten, the white-ball head coach, has reportedly voiced concerns about the ability of any player other than Babar Azam to handle the pressures of leadership across multiple formats. Insiders close to the team suggest that Kirsten, along with the PCB’s selection committee, is wary of overburdening any one player, especially with the high-stakes schedule looming in the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in early 2025.
Upcoming Challenges for Pakistan
Following the white-ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, Pakistan will face a busy January with a two-test series against the West Indies and an ODI tri-series involving New Zealand and South Africa. This will be followed by the Champions Trophy in February-March, a series in New Zealand, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
With such a demanding schedule, the PCB is under pressure to make a decision soon, as the team looks to balance competitive form with effective leadership. The challenge for the selectors is to find a leader who can both manage the demands of captaincy and deliver on the field while ensuring the players’ workload is sustainable for the long term.
The Pakistan cricket team’s leadership transition is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, with the new captain likely to take charge before the team’s tour to Australia in November.
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