Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has voiced his support for Babar Azam. This came after Babar stepped down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. The star cricketer made the surprising announcement on social media. He explained that he wanted to focus more on his role as a player rather than a leader.
In his statement, Babar, 29, said, “It’s been an honour to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role.” His decision shocked the cricket world. Babar has been a key figure in Pakistan’s leadership for years.
After Babar’s announcement, AB de Villiers reacted with praise. He congratulated Babar for his efforts as a captain. De Villiers posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Congrats. You’ve been great. Now for plenty more runs for your team.” His encouraging words were well-received. De Villiers is highly respected in the cricket world.
With Babar stepping down, discussions have begun about who will take over the captaincy for Pakistan’s white-ball formats. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as the top contender to lead the team in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Rizwan, known for his solid performances with both bat and gloves, is expected to provide continuity and leadership to Pakistan’s ODI team.
Potential Captain
For the Twenty20 International (T20I) side, Mohammad Haris is reportedly being considered as a potential captain. Haris, an aggressive young batsman, has impressed selectors with his performances in domestic cricket and could be seen as the fresh face for the T20I leadership.
Read: Babar Azam Drops in ICC Test Rankings as Mohammad Rizwan Climbs Up
Though Babar has relinquished his white-ball captaincy duties, he will remain a vital part of Pakistan’s Test side. The national team is set to face England in a three-match Test series, starting from October 7th. Babar, known for his elegant batting style, will play a crucial role in the team’s middle order as Pakistan looks to challenge England in the highly anticipated series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already announced the squad for the first Test against England. Shan Masood has been named captain for the series, with Saud Shakeel as vice-captain. Other key players include Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The team will look to start the series strong as they face England in Multan for the first Test.
Here is Pakistan’s squad for the first Test against England:
- Shan Masood (captain)
- Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Shafique
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Mir Hamza
- Mohammad Huraira
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)
- Naseem Shah
- Noman Ali
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Zahid Mehmood
The Pakistan-England Test series schedule is as follows:
- 7-11 Oct – First Test, Multan
- 15-19 Oct – Second Test, Multan
- 24-28 Oct – Third Test, Rawalpindi
Babar Azam’s decision to step down marks the end of an era for Pakistan’s white-ball team. However, his contributions as a batsman remain vital. As he transitions into his next chapter, fans and teammates will be watching eagerly. They look forward to seeing him shine on the cricketing stage.
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