LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the captain of the national T20 and ODI teams. During a press conference in Lahore, he also revealed that Salman Ali Agha will serve as the vice-captain for the white-ball squad.

When asked about Babar Azam’s captaincy, Naqvi emphasized that Babar is an asset to Pakistan cricket. He clarified that Babar stepped down willingly and that consultations were held with everyone involved before selecting a new captain.

Naqvi acknowledged the selection committee's contribution to the recent Test series victory against England and praised selector Aaqib Javed for his efforts in improving the team.

Addressing Fakhar Zaman’s recent tweet, he noted that the player's primary issue is fitness and that it’s unacceptable for players to voice their opinions on social media when not selected for the team.

Selector Aaqib Javed commented on the significant improvements made to the pitches in Multan and Rawalpindi, highlighting the potential for success at home. He expressed confidence that players will continue to develop their skills in bowling and batting.

New captain Mohammad Rizwan stated that the team's focus is on long-term success and expressed satisfaction with his partnership with vice-captain Salman Ali Agha. Head Coach Gary Kirsten had previously recommended Rizwan for the role, and the selectors supported this decision. Rizwan takes over from Babar Azam, who had been named the white-ball captain earlier this year.