Babar Azam back as Pakistan's white-ball captain

Babar Azam has been appointed captain of the Pakistan side in white-ball cricket, the PCB announced on Sunday. As reported by ESPNcricinfo a few days ago, the announcement means Shaheen Shah Afridi's one-series stint as T20I captain comes to an end.

"Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB's selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team," the PCB posted on X.

Babar had reluctantly stepped down as captain after the PCB made clear they wanted to name a replacement in November, which led to Afridi's appointment. At the time, Afridi was the hot favourite to take over as ODI captain, too, though subsequent events meant those prospects receded.

For Babar, this is unlikely to be seen as anything other than vindication after the manner of his ouster following Pakistan's indifferent World Cup. Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had presented his decision to remove Babar as fait accompli, leading Babar to put out his statement of resignation. That, a mere four months and one white-ball series later, the PCB found itself turning back to Babar places him in a significant position of strength.

The majority of the four newly appointed members to the selection panel were understood to be in favour in reinstating Babar, though he did have certain preconditions before he accepted the captaincy once more. In discussions with the PCB, he wanted guarantees he would not be removed again on a whim following the T20I World Cup in June, asking for a longer stint at the helm. In addition, ESPNcricinfo understands he has asked for much greater control in matters of selection than he believed he previously had.

The PCB's brief dalliance with Afridi is unlikely to have done his morale much good. The writing was on the wall for him since Naqvi refused to back him at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, saying at the time a final decision would be made after Pakistan's training camp with the military ended. But it appears there has been a rapid loss of faith in Afridi's leadership abilities when he led Pakistan in one series and his PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars. Pakistan lost the T20I series against New Zealand 4-1, and Qalandars won just one game out of ten and finished bottom of the PSL table. Part of the appeal of appointing Afridi, still 23, as captain was he could learn on the job and continue in the role for an extended period of time.

Babar's first assignment since his reappointment is a five-match T20I home series against New Zealand next month.