PCB decides to reappoint Babar Azam as Pakistan team captain

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appoint star batter Babar Azam as the national cricket team's captain again, sources within the cricket body confirmed on Friday.

According to sources, the decision to reappoint the 29-year-old cricketer is taken on the newly-formed selection committee's recommendation.

Sources said that Babar Azam will lead the Green Shirts in the upcoming five-match T20 home series against New Zealand.

The record-breaker player will join fitness camp at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) in Kakul as team captain, as per the information provided by sources.

"PCB will formally announce its decision by today [Friday]," sources added.

Currently, Shaheen Shah Afridi is leading the Pakistan team in the T20 format, and Shah Masood captains in the Test format.

After the World Cup 2023, the Green Shirts played the first T20 series against New Zealand under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi and the event concluded with Pakistan’s defeat, 4-1, to Kiwis.

However, cricket body officials are not happy with the performance of both format skippers.

On the other hand, Afridi has made up his mind to step down from captaincy.

The cricket body had appointed Babar as white-ball skipper in 2019 and as Test captain in 2020.

But, Babar had failed to secure any ICC or Asia Cup titles for Pakistan as captain.