Babar Azam named as Pakistan’s ODI skipper

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed Azhar Ali as Test and Babar Azam as One-day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) captains for the upcoming 12-month period.

This is the first time, the PCB has officially announced Azam as captain of the 50-over side after former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked as captain from all formats in October 2019.  

Pakistan men’s national team chief selector and head coach Misbahul Haq also congratulated the duo, Ali and Azam, after the announcement.  

“I want to congratulate Azhar Ali and Babar Azam for getting captaincy extensions. This is absolutely the right decision as they also require certainty and clarity on their future roles. I am sure they will now start looking to the future and start planning so that they can build sides that can perform at the expected levels,” said Misbah.

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In the forthcoming season, Pakistan is scheduled to play two T20Is in Ireland (July), three Tests and three T20Is in England (July-September), three ODIs and three T20Is in South Africa (October), three ODIs and three T20Is at home against Zimbabwe (November), two tests and three T20Is in New Zealand (December), two Tests and three T20Is at home against South Africa (January 2021) and two Tests and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (April 2021).

In addition to these bilateral series, Pakistan will also feature in the Asia Cup T20 tournament and the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2020 in Australia.