Rizwan, Haris to lead Pakistan team after Babar Azam's resignation

Following Babar Azam's surprise resignation as captain of Pakistan's white-ball format, Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as a strong contender to lead the ODI side, sources said on Wednesday.

According to sources, a proposal suggested appointing Mohammad Haris as skipper for the T20 format.

A day earlier, the 28-year-old batter announced his decision to step down as captain, citing a desire to prioritise his performance, enjoy his batting, and spend quality time with his family. 

"I'm sharing some news with you today. I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team, effective as of my notification to the PCB and Team Management last month.

"I want to prioritise my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy."

He also expressed gratitude for the support and excitement to continue contributing to the team as a player.

Earlier, Pakistan's white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten had recommended removing Babar as T20 captain after the T20 World Cup debacle, suggesting he continue leading only in ODIs. 

Kirsten aims to inject young talent into the T20 setup, with Mohammad Haris being the preferred choice, sources informed.

However, the final decision on captaincy will require approval from the selectors and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Rizwan's experience and leadership skills make him an ideal candidate for the ODI captaincy. 

His strong performances behind the stumps and with the bat have earned him a reputation as a dependable player. 

Meanwhile, Haris's aggressive style and potential to revive Pakistan's T20 fortunes make him an attractive option for the shorter format.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will carefully consider the proposals and make a formal announcement soon.