Babar Azam Replacement: Who are the Candidates in Line for Pakistan Captaincy?

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Babar Azam resigned as Pakistan's white-ball captain on Tuesday, October 1, citing his desire to focus on his batting and reduce the pressure of leading the team. With his resignation, several players are reportedly in contention to take over the captaincy.

The PCB is looking at several options as Pakistan's new white-ball captain, especially with the PAK vs ENG series starting in less than a week.

Potential Candidates for Pakistan's Next White-ball Captain

Let's have a look at the players that can be the next captain of Pakistan in white-ball cricket.

4. Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi has already had a brief stint as Pakistan's T20I captain and remains a viable candidate to return to the role. Known for his lethal bowling spells, Afridi has proven himself as a leader, guiding Lahore Qalandars to consecutive title wins in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Despite his removal after one series as captain, Afridi's restoration has been called for by several of the game's greats, including former England skipper Michael Vaughan.

3. Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman is another player who could be in the running for the captaincy of the Shaheens. Former Pakistani cricketer Younis Khan backed Zaman for captaincy back in June, specifically taking note of his performance during the 2023 World Cup. Zaman's late resurgence in form kept Pakistan's hopes alive at the tournament, aided by his aggressive starts at the top. His ability to perform under pressure could make him a valuable leader for the team.

2. Mohammad Haris

For the T20I captaincy, Mohammad Haris has reportedly emerged as a promising option for head coach Gary Kirsten. Haris is known for his aggressive batting style and has shown immense potential in the shorter format. His youth and ability to inspire a new generation of players have caught the attention of the PCB. Haris is reportedly being considered for the T20I leadership, with the aim of encouraging a more attacking approach under his captaincy.

1. Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batter, is the most likely candidate to succeed Babar Azam in the ODI format. Rizwan's experience and leadership skills, as well as his consistent performance with the bat and behind the stumps, have already positioned him as a key figure in the team and made him PCB's first choice to be the next Pakistan captain. As per media reports, the 32-year-old is expected to be involved in discussions regarding Pakistan's upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, which will take place in November.