The uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy continues to intensify as the team prepares for their tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is.
Recent reports from Pakistani media indicate that Salman Agha is set to be appointed as the new ODI captain, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is expected to take on the T20I captaincy.
ARY News reported on Sunday (October 27) that the Pakistan team will have two separate captains for the ODI and T20I formats, with Lahore-born Agha likely to lead the ODI side.
Earlier speculation suggested that Rizwan would become the white-ball captain following Babar Azam’s resignation. However, the latest updates indicate that he might be chosen as the new T20I captain instead.
The announcement of the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of Australia is anticipated to be made today (Sunday, October 27). Decisions regarding the futures of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah, who were excluded from the Test squad, are also expected to be revealed. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to make significant announcements during a press conference later in the evening, according to the news channel.
Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem were dropped after Pakistan’s defeat to England by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test. Under Shan Masood’s leadership, Pakistan bounced back to win the second and third Tests, clinching the series 2-1.
The 30-year-old Salman Agha made a notable impact in the three-match Test series against England, scoring a century and two half-centuries. He has played 21 ODIs, amassing 487 runs at an average of 40.58, and has taken four wickets in this format.
Rizwan has captained Pakistan twice in Test matches but has yet to lead the team in white-ball formats. If selected for the T20I role by the PCB selectors, he would become the third T20I captain in just 10 months.
