Shaheen Shah Afridi is the new T20I skipper, while Shan Masood replaces Babar in charge of the Test team; Mohammad Hafeez has been named as the new team director
Pakistan have appointed two new captains and a director of cricket on a busy day of upheaval following the country's World Cup exit at the group stage.
Babar Azam stepped down as skipper across all formats following discussions with the PCB, who requested that he continue as Test captain, only for subsequent conversations with his family to confirm his intent to resign the captaincy in totality.
He has been replaced by Shan Masood in the longest format, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will take the reins in T20Is. With Pakistan's next ODI series a long way off, Babar's 50-over successor – Pakistan are hosting the Champions Trophy in 2025 – has not been named.
Zaka Ashraf, chair of the PCB management committee, described Babar as "truly a world-class player" and "one of the best batters Pakistan has ever produced".
He added: "He is our asset, and we will continue to support him. His batting prowess is a testament to his dedication and skill. He is a role model for the present generation. We want to see him grow as a great batter."
Mohammad Rizwan, Babar's teammate, thanked him for his "honesty, love, integrity, thoughts, and efforts for Pakistan as the captain". He added: "May you continue to shine for Pakistan."
Mohammad Hafeez has been appointed as Pakistan's team director (Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)
The PCB also announced that it has "changed the portfolio of the Pakistan coaching staff", including the role of Mickey Arthur, who has been the national side's team director, sharing that role with his responsibilities as head of cricket at Derbyshire.
Arthur said at the conclusion of Pakistan's campaign that he was keen to stay on with Babar as captain, but Mohammad Hafeez's appointment as team director appears to alter his position, even if a PCB statement explained that "all coaches will continue to work in the National Cricket Academy" during the recruitment of a "new coaching staff".
Masood is the first of the new captains to come under the microscope, with Pakistan facing the challenge of a Test tour to Australia next month.
Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on everything England - including leading coverage of England in India, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.
Posted by Nawab khan on 31/01/2024 at 00:17
I think babar is back for captaincy
Posted by R on 17/11/2023 at 15:44
Shaheed Afridi is useless Not good for the team
Posted by Muhammad FAYYAZ on 17/11/2023 at 13:25
I didn't agree about these both as caption before the selection Of chef sallactor Regard pray for Chief selector X fast ❤️
Posted by Sp bandara,srilanka on 17/11/2023 at 04:40
Respekt to baber,also pcb,new captain are perfect ,reswan donot name any format as vice ccaptain .he is a good cricketer but selfish contributor.
Posted by Malik ANiQ on 17/11/2023 at 03:57
No one can take place of king Babar 👑🥺
Posted by Nadeem Ahmed on 17/11/2023 at 01:34
Aslam o alikum our hero's com forward and help the pakistani cricket team with 5 part 1 batting 2 bowling 3 filling 4 grow up all-rounder 5 team menigment captain and old bestman and old bowler m.asif .s.akhtar .w.akram .a.javad .u gull .m.akram and all other bowler and best man grow up pakistani cricket 🏏 thanks 0033744292214
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.