Former Cricketer Backs Mohammad Rizwan to Replace Babar Azam as Pakistan Captain
Pakistan cricket is buzzing with talks about new leadership roles. Former cricketer Basit Ali thinks Mohammad Rizwan should step up and take over from Babar Azam as the captain of the national white-ball team. Ali’s support comes in light of hints that Babar’s time as captain might be wrapping up. Plus, Rizwan’s recent games have only added fuel to this discussion.
Basit Ali’s Endorsement of Rizwan
Basit Ali, who’s well-respected in Pakistani cricket, has come out in favor of Rizwan for the top job. On his YouTube channel, he praised Rizwan’s skills as a leader. He noted especially how well Rizwan did in the Champions One-Day Cup. Acting as captain for the Markhors, Rizwan led his team to a big win over the Stallions, showing off his smart strategies and how well he understands pitch conditions.
Ali pointed out that Rizwan’s skills are impressive. He said, “The way Rizwan led the side, he proved there’s no better skipper than him. He showed it with his captaincy; he read the pitch really well—something even Babar can struggle with! I’m not even bringing Shan [Masood] into this. If you don’t make him captain now, then it’ll be a loss for Pakistan. This is the best time to make Rizwan captain.”
Leadership Speculations & Challenges
Lately, Pakistan’s cricket team has had its fair share of challenges. That’s got everyone thinking about changing leadership roles. After the ODI World Cup 2023, there was a brief shake-up when Shaheen Afridi took over from Babar as white-ball captain. But Afridi’s time was short after they didn’t do well in a series. This raised more eyebrows about who should lead Pakistan.
Shan Masood recently took on the Test captaincy but faced some heat after a home series loss to Bangladesh. The pressure on him plus Babar Azam’s up-and-down form has stirred chatter about changes in leading roles. Even so, a source from PCB brushed off rumors of more shifts, saying they should give Babar and Masood time to show what they can do.
Coaching Perspectives
Amid all this talk about leadership, coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to think carefully before making decisions. They believe it’s key to have stability rather than rushing into changes that could upset team performance further. Their views stress how important it is for leaders to get enough time to build and carry out their plans.
Babar Azam’s Upcoming Role
Babar Azam is set to continue as Pakistan’s white-ball captain starting in November. The team will face Australia in some ODI and T20I matches—an important test for Babar’s leadership skills. The ODI matches will be held at famous places like Melbourne Cricket Ground, Adelaide Oval, and Perth Stadium; And then there’ll be T20I games at The Gabba, SCG, and Bellerive Oval.
ODI Series Schedule:
4 November: MCG, Melbourne (D/N)8 November: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)10 November: Perth Stadium, Perth (D/N)
T20I Series Schedule:
14 November: The Gabba, Brisbane (N)16 November: SCG, Sydney (N)18 November: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (N)
As the chatter around Pakistan’s cricket leadership goes on, Mohammad Rizwan’s recent standout performances alongside Basit Ali’s backing offers a new angle to think about. While Babar Azam is still set to lead against Australia soon, Rizwan’s solid leadership skills and what he’s done lately make him an attractive option for future captain roles. The upcoming months will be vital in figuring out where Pakistan’s cricket leadership is headed & if they’ll tap into Rizwan’s potential on a bigger stage.