Babar Azam, facing the aftermath of the team’s World Cup disappointment, announced his resignation as the captain across all formats. The resignation of Babar Azam comes after a meeting with PCB Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf in Lahore, highlighting the challenging decision faced by the 29-year-old skipper. While acknowledging Babar Azam’s contributions, Zaka Ashraf praised him as a world-class player and emphasized continued support for his cricketing journey without the added burden of captaincy.
Shan Masood Takes Charge in Tests After Babar Azam Resignation
Responding to the leadership vacuum, the PCB swiftly appointed Shan Masood as the new Test captain; with a Test career boasting 30 matches, 1,597 runs, and a wealth of experience, Masood steps into the role until the conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. His first challenge lies in a three-match Test series against Australia starting December 14.
Former Test cricketer Mohammad Hafeez takes over as director of cricket, succeeding Mickey Arthur. Additionally, Wahab Riaz assumes the position of chief selector, filling the void left by Inzamamul Haq’s resignation. Sohail Tanvir, the former left-arm pacer, is appointed as the head of the junior selection team.
Shaheen Afridi to Lead T20 Side
Simultaneously, the T20 International captaincy was entrusted to Shaheen Shah Afridi. The 23-year-old left-arm pacer, known for his T20 prowess, brings both youth and dynamism to the leadership role. His inaugural assignment as T20 captain awaits in a five-match series against New Zealand from January 12 to 21.
In tandem with the captaincy changes, the PCB announced a restructuring of the coaching staff, including the departure of Director Cricket Mickey Arthur. The entire coaching team is set to continue their roles at the National Cricket Academy, with the PCB planning to unveil a new coaching setup for the upcoming series in Australia and New Zealand.
Also read: PCB Selection Committee Sacked, Ex-Players Under Consideration for Key Roles
