Mohammad Rizwan becomes Pakistan captain; Fakhar Zaman thrown OUT, Babar Azam-Shaheen Afridi back

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is set to be the new captain of Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams. After Babar Azam decided to give up the captaincy of Pakistan's white-ball teams, there were speculations about his replacement.

While Mohammad Rizwan was always at the forefront, it is now confirmed that he will be Pakistan's new white-ball captain. Meanwhile, star cricketers Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi will also make a comeback into the team for the white-ball series against Australias.

However, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be unavailable for the series due to fitness issues. Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series in November.

Also read: Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill all set to miss Pune Test vs NZ? Report reveals

Mohammad Rizwan set to be Pakistan's new white-ball captain

According to the local reports, Mohammad Rizwan will be Pakistan's new ODI and T20I captain. Mohammad Rizwan will replace Babar Azam at the role who resigned after a string of poor performances by the team in recent ICC tournaments.

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Loading ☺️😎#MohammadRizwan #MuhammadRizwan pic.twitter.com/fIlVgqnypG

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) October 20, 2024

It was the second stint for Babar Azam as Pakistan's white-ball captain. However, it did not turn out to be a successful one. Meanwhile, Rizwan is regarded as a good captain in the country's domestic circuit but hasn't been considered for the role yet.

Mohammad Rizwan is 32 and it is believed that the selectors wanted a young captain to be the next captain after Babar Azam. Rizwan has a good role as a captain in Pakistan Super League. He has led his team Multan Sultans to PSL finals consistently in the last four years in which they won the 2021 season.

Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to make a comeback

Meanwhile, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi are also likely to be back in the team after being left out of the team for the last two Tests against England. Both the high-profile players were left out due to poor form in the last few matches.

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فاختہ نے بتایا ہے کہ بابر اعظم اور شاہین شاہ آفریدی آسٹریلیا سیریز کے لئے اسکواڈ میں شامل ہونگے جبکہ فخر زمان کی شمولیت متوقع نہیں ہے... فخر زمان کی شمولیت فٹنس سے مشروط ہے...#PakistanCricket #PAKvsAUS #BabarAzam #ShaheenShahAfridi

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) October 20, 2024

But they are a key part of Pakistan's white-ball plans. Keeping next year's Champions Trophy in mind, both players are likely to be included in the white-ball squads for the series in Australia.

Fakhar Zaman out of the Australia tour

Pakistan's opening batter Fakhar Zaman is unlikely to be selected for this tour. Fakhar is believed to have some fitness issues which is likely to keep him out of both the formats of the series.

Fakhar Zaman is in danger... Probably no for Australia series.... As per Fakhta... Fitness test issue #FakharZaman #PakistanCricket #PAKvsAUS

— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) October 20, 2024

Recently, Fakhar Zaman posted a tweet in favor of Babar Azam after the newly formed selection panel decided to drop the latter from the final two Tests against England. This drew the ire of the selectors. PCB also issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar for his remarks.

Fakhar Zaman is a key part of Pakistan's white-ball teams. With the Champions Trophy approaching fast, he can be Pakistan's X-factor for the tournament.

Meanwhile, leg-spinning allrounder Shadab Khan and middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed are set to be dropped from both squads.

Both had performed ordinarily in the last few games and their chances of playing in the Champions Trophy are also fading away.