The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman, Najam Sethi, has dispelled rumors about Babar Azam being sacked as the national side’s captain. Sethi took to Twitter to announce that Babar met him before the team announcement, and he informed the skipper that he will lead the ODI and T20I national team against New Zealand. In the tweet, Sethi also put to rest any speculation that Babar’s position was in jeopardy. He wrote, “So all those who were spreading fake fears are out of jobs today.”
Babar Azam will return as the national team’s regular skipper, leading senior cricketers Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. These players were rested during the Afghanistan T20I series. Shaheen Afridi is returning to international cricket after four months. He had missed five Tests and three ODIs against England and New Zealand post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 due to knee rehabilitation.
The T20I squad for the home series against New Zealand includes Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zaman Khan. Youngsters Saim Ayub and Zaman Khan have retained their positions in the squad. Additionally, young Ihsanullah has received his maiden ODI team call-up alongside his retention in the T20I squad.
The ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand includes Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Usama Mir. The reserves for both the squads include Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Tayyab Tahir.
In conclusion, Najam Sethi’s announcement has put to rest any rumors of Babar Azam losing his captaincy. The national side’s regular skipper will return to lead the team alongside senior cricketers in the ODI and T20I home series against New Zealand. The squad for the series includes some young players who have retained their positions, and some newcomers have received their maiden call-ups. It will be interesting to see how the team performs under Babar’s leadership in the upcoming series.
