The Pakistan cricket team is at a crossroads as it deliberates over the next white-ball captain following Babar Azam's decision to step down from the role. Mohammad Rizwan, the current vice-captain and a key player for the team, has emerged as a frontrunner for the position. 

According to the media reports, the board is considering the possibility of appointing separate captains for ODIs and T20Is or naming a strong vice-captain for Rizwan, ensuring that the wicketkeeper-batter receives sufficient breaks to manage his workload. This would mean that the vice-captain would step in to lead the team when needed.

Potential candidates for the deputy or captaincy roles include Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Shaheen Afridi, all of whom are under consideration. 

“In which case, Rizwan’s deputy will lead the team,” the source said. “Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, and Shaheen are the other candidates under consideration for either the role of Rizwan’s deputy or leading the T20I or ODI side,” news agency PTI quoted an insider as claiming.

However, concerns regarding workload management have been raised by the team’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, and the selectors.

Babar, who was removed as captain across all formats last year, was reinstated as the T20I captain just before the T20 World Cup. However, the team’s disappointing early exit from the tournament intensified scrutiny on Babar, particularly as his predecessor, Shaheen Afridi, was dismissed shortly after a single series in charge.

“Mohammad Rizwan is the obvious choice for the white-ball captaincy given that, along with Babar, he is the only player who is an automatic selection in all formats of the game,” PCB source said.

“But things are not so simple because, with the hectic international calendar of the team, the workload on Rizwan is a worrying factor for red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie, Kirsten, the PCB, and the selectors,” the source added.

Despite Rizwan's qualifications, managing his workload remains a pressing concern due to the demanding international calendar ahead. The Pakistan team is set to play 18 ODIs and T20Is in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from November to December, followed by a two-Test series in South Africa.

Upon returning home in January, the team will engage in a two-Test series against the West Indies, an ODI tri-series featuring New Zealand and South Africa, leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March. After the Champions Trophy, Pakistan is expected to travel to New Zealand for a white-ball series before the Pakistan Super League.

“Babar was captain in all three formats for more than three years, but Kirsten and the selectors have their reservations over whether Rizwan would be able to handle the workload in the coming months of not only playing all the formats but also leading the side in ODIs and T20Is,” said another source.