Pakistan name new captains after Babar Azam resignation

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

Nick Friend | 15/11/2023 at 16:32

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He has been replaced by Shan Masood in the longest format, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will take the reins in T20Is.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."

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^{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.