Basit Ali Backs Mohammad Rizwan as Next Captain Amid Babar Azam Criticism
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has endorsed wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as a strong candidate to lead Pakistan’s white-ball teams. This support comes amid growing criticism of the current captain, Babar Azam, following Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June.
The Green Shirts’ early exit from the World Cup has led to calls for a change in leadership, with many fans and analysts questioning Babar’s captaincy. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has scheduled a high-profile meeting, known as the “Connection Camp,” on September 22 to evaluate the future of the national cricket team and its leadership.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali voiced his support for Rizwan, emphasizing his impressive leadership qualities demonstrated during the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup, where Rizwan is captaining the Markhors.
“Mohammad Rizwan has proven himself as an exceptional leader. His ability to read the pitch and make strategic decisions sets him apart,” Basit Ali commented. “If you don’t appoint him as captain now, it would be a missed opportunity for Pakistan. This is the right time to make Rizwan the captain.”
Former captain Moin Khan has also praised Rizwan’s leadership skills but suggested he might be a short-term solution. Moin emphasized the need to groom a younger player for future leadership roles.
“A single captain can be appointed for all formats, but it’s essential for the player to perform consistently across formats,” Moin Khan stated. “While Mohammad Rizwan is undoubtedly capable, considering his age, he might be a great short-term captain. It’s crucial to develop a young cricketer to take over in the long term. We often appoint captains but fail to prepare a suitable successor.”
Under Rizwan’s captaincy, the Markhors have won both of their matches in the Champions One-Day Cup and currently lead the points table. This performance further highlights Rizwan’s potential as a future captain for Pakistan’s white-ball teams.
