Shortly after Babar Azam resigned as captain of all three formats, Pakistan named Shan Masood as their Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as their new T20I captain. The PCB has not yet appointed an ODI captain because there are no ODIs planned in the foreseeable future.
Babar was given the choice to remain as Test captain whereas the decision to dismiss him as white-ball skipper was handed to him as a fait accompli, according to a statement released by the PCB shortly after the resignation. “Babar made the decision to resign after talking with his family, and PCB supports his choice. PCB honors his choice and is still a supporter of him as a player.”
“Babar Azam is truly a world-class player and we want him to continue to thrive as a player,” Zaka Ashraf stated. “Among Pakistan’s greatest batters ever, he is. He is a resource for us, and we will always be there for him.”
For a man who made his Test debut more than ten years ago but was never able to establish a spot in the side, Masood’s elevation to skipper is an incredible rise. After two or three Test matches in which he scored big runs followed by protracted barren runs, he was dropped on multiple occasions and was eventually left off the team for extended periods of time. His Test results against England and New Zealand after his late-year return to the team were mixed, but his series-ending half-century in 17 innings against Sri Lanka in July was the high point of the series.
His first assignment is an away series in Australia, which historically has been the hardest assignment for Pakistan. Pakistan has lost their last 14 straight Test matches, including five series landslides, dating back to 1999.
The 23-year-old Afridi, who was heavily favored to replace Babar Azam in the shortest format, would get his maiden assignment right after the conclusion of the three-Test series against Australia. Pakistan will play five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in New Zealand after the Tests in Australia. This is the first series leading up to the T20 World Cup in June 2024 in the USA and the West Indies the following year.
After being named captain of the Lahore Qalandars, Afridi’s Pakistan Super League team, he had quick success. Under his leadership, the Qalandars have won both PSL trophies, making history as the first team to successfully defend the trophy. “In due course” an ODI skipper will be picked, according to the PCB.
Team Director Mohammad Hafeez is appointed
Shortly after Masood and Shaheen were named captains, the PCB also said that Mohammad Hafeez would take over as team director, a position Mickey Arthur has held up till now. Aurthur is still with the team, although he is not going to go with them. It formally announces what amounts to a major downgrade for him, with Hafeez leading the coaching staff in Australia despite having no prior coaching or director experience.
Additionally, head coach Grant Bradburn will not be traveling to Australia and New Zealand with the Pakistani team; an announcement on his replacement is anticipated soon. Most people believe Younis Khan will inherit the position. It is known that neither Arthur nor Bradburn have had their responsibilities terminated, something that this interim management committee most certainly does not have the power to do. Although Arthur and Bradburn’s responsibilities have not yet been disclosed, it is not believed that their resignations will happen anytime soon.
