Mohsin Naqvi fires PCB selectors major warning on choosing Babar Azam’s successor

Babar Azam has recently stepped down as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Babar, who is widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most talented batters, took to his social media to announce his resignation, citing the burden of leadership and his aim to concentrate on his batting.

However, Babar’s decision has not surprised many, and even fans and former Pakistan cricketers welcomed the call, as many were already suggesting the star batter quit the captaincy and focus on his batting.

PCB to choose Babar Azam's successor with caution

The right-hander has been struggling with the bat across the formats for a long time now, and he took the call to leave the captaincy of the Pakistan cricket team at the right time, felt former legends.

With Babar’s leadership being scrutinized over the past year, the former white-ball captain’s decision has left the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a race to find the right leader who can guide the team forward.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has acknowledged Babar's decision by affirming that the selection of the new white-ball captain will be made with "careful consideration." Naqvi stressed that the leadership role is very important for the team's success and hinted that the PCB would go for stability and long-term vision while picking the new captain.

As per Cricket Pakistan, the PCB chief instructed the Pakistan selection committee to select the new white-ball captain carefully as this position is very important for the future of Pakistan cricket.

We'll take a decision after careful consideration: Mohsin Naqvi on the new Pakistan captain's selection

Pakistan wouldn’t want to repeat the mistake that they made with Babar, who resigned as skipper for the second time in one year. Naqvi said that they will pick the captain with "careful consideration.".

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated during a recent media briefing: “I have told them to take a decision after careful consideration because the captain’s position is important."

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s experienced wicketkeeper-batter, has emerged as a strong candidate to succeed as the white-ball captain, but the PCB has yet to make an official announcement.

Naqvi made it clear that the selection committee has been instructed to be careful in the selection process to ensure that the next captain can handle the pressures along with his job.

It's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role: Babar Azam

Earlier, in his resignation on X, Babar Azam said: “Dear Fans, I'm sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month. It's been an honor to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus on my playing role."

Dear Fans,

I'm sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month.

It's been an honour to lead this team, but it's time for me to step down and focus…

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) October 1, 2024