Former all-format captain Babar Azam is expected to return to the Pakistan T20 team, and there are rumors that the PCB would choose to replace Muhammad Rizwan as the one-day team’s captain.
After the Test series concludes on October 24, there will be a three-match ODI and three-match T20 series against South Africa. The competition to promote senior players is fierce on social and mainstream media.
According to a trustworthy source close to the national selectors, there is no reason why Shaheen Afridi would replace Rizwan as ODI captain, even if that were to occur.
“If anything it would be the national T20 skipper, Salman Ali Agha who will replace Rizwan as captain but even that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon,” the source said.
Regarding the rumors that the national T20 team will be changed in preparation for the World Cup next year, he stated that the selectors and team management are still in talks, with the chairman of the board’s advisors also kept informed.
“There is a move to recall Babar to the shortest format but the truth is there is more resistance to this idea then acceptance,” he added.
According to the source, head coach Mike Hesson seemed satisfied and sure that he had the players to assemble a well-rounded, formidable team for the World Cup with a few minor adjustments to the national team.
In order for the selectors to try out different combinations with the T20 team, he stated it was agreed that some players may be rested for the South Africa series.
“Any decision on Babar’s recall will come after he plays in the Big Bash and the selectors get an idea whether he is prepared to reinvent himself in the format because he was sidelined not because he is not a good enough player but only he was not able to keep pace with the requirements of modern day T20 cricket,” he added.
