Reports: Babar Azam to be given leadership roles in Tests and ODIs too

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continued its tradition of post-World Cup captaincy change by sacking Sarfaraz Ahmed as the Test and T20I captain. The PCB was perhaps considering a change in the leadership for quite some time now and the recent debacle in T20Is against Sri Lanka seem to have made its task easier.

Despite being the number one T20I side, Pakistan were whitewashed by a second-string Sri Lanka in the three-match series in Lahore. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s constant struggle with the bat did not help his cause either. The wicketkeeper-batsman did not only lose his captaincy but also his spot in the team for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Azhar Ali has replaced Sarfaraz as the Test captain while Babar Azam has been handed the responsibility of the T20I side. And if reports are to be believed then Babar Azam will take charge of the ODI team too. Since Pakistan will not play an ODI before the next summer, PCB has not named the new ODI captain. But Geo News has reported Babar is likely to be made the ODI skipper as well as the vice-captain in Tests.

The report further claimed that wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is the favourite to be made Babar Azam’s deputy in T20Is. A final decision regarding the Test and T20I vice-captaincies will be out on Monday when the squads for the upcoming tour of Australia will be announced. Pakistan will play three T20Is and two Tests in Australia.

Babar Azam delighted

Babar Azam, meanwhile, is delighted to take charge of Pakistan’s T20I side. In fact, he called it the biggest thing that has happened to him in his career so far. The right-handed batsman, who does not have any experience of captaincy, said that he is looking forward to the challenge.

“To be named the captain of the No.1 ranked side in the world is the biggest thing that has happened to my career to date. I am ready for this challenge and also willing to learn more in the process.

“Sarfaraz Ahmed has led the side in the shortest format by example and it is my responsibility to take forward his accomplishments so that we remain a consistent, attractive and powerful side,” Babar said in a statement released by the PCB.

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