Babar Azam Reappointed Pakistan White-Ball Captain Ahead of T20 World Cup

Babar Azam has returned as Pakistan’s captain for one-day internationals (ODIs) and T20 internationals, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the appointment on Sunday following a recommendation from the newly restructured national selection committee. The decision marks Azam’s third stint in the leadership role. He previously resigned from all formats in November 2023 after Pakistan failed to progress beyond the group stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took over the T20I captaincy, led the team for a single series, which resulted in a 4-1 defeat against New Zealand in January. Selection Committee Rationale The PCB selection committee—comprising Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Razzaq, and Mohammad Yousuf—met with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to finalize the leadership change. The move is designed to provide stability ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June, hosted by the United States and the West Indies. Azam remains Pakistan’s most successful T20I captain, having led the side to the semi-finals of the 2021 World Cup and the final of the 2022 edition. His overall record includes 42 wins in 71 T20Is…