DM Monitoring
Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to remove Azhar Ali as Test captain.
According to sources, Babar Azam will replace Azhar as the skipper on the tour of New Zealand and the announcement by the PCB is expected on November 11. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan will be announced as the vice-captain. Following the announcement of the captain, the squads for New Zealand will be named on the same date.
A 35-member squad is likely to be announced which will also include players for the Pakistan Shaheens.
It must be noted that Pakistan will play three T20Is and two Tests from December 18 to January 7 while Shaheens are scheduled to play five T20s and two four-day matches.
The squad will depart on November 23 from Lahore and as per New Zealand government regulations, will undergo a 14-day quarantine period in Lincoln, Christchurch.
Meanwhile, Former Pakistan captain and renowned commentator Wasim Akram has backed Babar Azam for the captaincy in Test cricket.
While speaking to a YouTube channel ‘Cricket Baaz with Waheed Khan, the Swing of Sultan thinks he will be the best choice from the current lot of players.
“I think he is the right choice currently. He can handle the pressure brilliantly and will learn as the time passes,” Wasim said.
“I am all for Babar to be captain in Test cricket. I recently got to know about a school of thought to appoint Mohammad Rizwan as the captain. He has only played six matches, how can he be captain?,” he added.
“Critics usually say that his batting will be affected. I want to know how it is possible, he is a batsman,” he maintained. Wasim gave the example of India’s Virat Kohli and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who are performing and leading their sides too. It must be noted that Babar is all set to replace current Test skipper Azhar Ali. According to sources, the PCB will announce Babar Azam as Test captain on November 11.
