PCB forced Babar Azam to quit captaincy? Mohsin Naqvi breaks silence on the matter

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has opened up about Babar Azam’s decision to step down as white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team on Sunday (October 27). Mohammad Rizwan was elevated as Pakistan’s new white-ball captain, replacing Babar ahead of the Australia tour.

After announcing Mohammad Rizwan as the new white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Mohsin Naqvi addressed the rumors that the PCB forced Babar Azam to quit the captaincy.

PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi reveals Babar Azam requested to step down as captain

Mohsin Naqvi revealed that this wasn’t a decision prompted by the PCB but rather a personal call from Babar himself. The PCB chief further claimed that Babar has himself expressed his desire to step down from his leadership role, surprising the cricket fraternity.

Naqvi further went on to reveal that Babar Azam has reportedly approached the PCB chairman to convey his intent, saying he wanted to focus on excelling as a player rather than carrying the heavy mantle of captaincy, as he and the team were already struggling to deliver.

The PCB boss insisted that nobody from the board asked Azam to resign from captaincy, saying it was his own personal call to end the growing speculations regarding the same. However, Mohsin Naqvi assured that Babar’s position as an invaluable player is secure in the Pakistan cricket team.

Players like him only emerge after a long time: Mohsin Naqvi on Babar Azam

Mohsin Naqvi said at the press conference in Lahore: “Players like him only emerge after a long time. He reached out to me about stepping down as captain, but nobody from the PCB contacted him or suggested he resign from captaincy. He took advice from his coaches and then told me that he did want to continue as captain. He wants to focus on his game as an individual player for the Pakistan Cricket Team, and we all want him to regain his form.”

Notably, star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was named Pakistan's white-ball captain, while Salman Ali Agha will be his deputy in the format. This announcement was made by the PCB at the press conference in Lahore on Sunday after squads for the Australian and Zimbabwe tours were unveiled.

I wish them the best and pray for their success: PCB Chief

On selecting Rizwan as the new white-ball captain, Naqvi stated: “There was a nearly unanimous opinion that Rizwan should be the captain after Babar and Salman should be vice captains. They were already in talks with selectors, and after that, I met Rizwan yesterday as well. I wish them the best and pray for their success.”

Notably, Pakistan have picked six uncapped players for the upcoming Australia and Zimbabwe tour, where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is each on the tour. These six uncapped players are Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub.

Pakistan have also included the duo of Jahandad Khan and Agha Salman in the T20I squads for the upcoming Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Pakistan’s tour of Australia will begin on November 4, while the tour of Zimbabwe kicks off on November 24.