After their group-stage exit from the home Champions Trophy, Pakistan cricket team travelled to New Zealand for a white-ball series, comprising five T20Is and three ODIs. While the Men in Green suffered a 4-1 defeat in the T20I series, they copped a 3-0 whitewash in the 50-over format.
In the wake of the Kiwi tour debacle, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan along with star batter Babar Azam is likely to meet PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the next few days to get clarity on his selection in the T20I format and seeking more power as captain.
A senior PCB official told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on condition of anonymity that Rizwan was frustrated with the selectors' decision to sideline him and Babar from T20Is
The duo have reportedly sought a meeting with the PCB chief after the Pakistan team management and selection committee decided to drop them from the shortest format to try some fresh faces under new captain Salman Agha.
The development was also confirmed by sources close to Pakistan captain Rizwan. "Rizwan is due to meet the PCB chairman as soon as he gets an opportunity to seek clarity on his axing from the T20I side," the sources close to the Pakistan captain told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
Rizwan was handed Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy in October last year but was rested from the shortest format in Zimbabwe and given the responsibility in the T20I series against South Africa.
"I can't say anything about T20, it's not my job, just like here (in ODIs), I do not have all the things in my hands. Neither we knew nor were we consulted (about T20I axing). It was their decision and they took that decision and we accepted that as we have done before," Rizwan had said after Pakistan's 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series against New Zealand.
According to sources, Rizwan was at loggerheads with head coach Aaqib Javed over the selection of the playing XI for the first two matches and wanted five regular bowlers.
Pakistan went with four regular bowlers and tried to complete the remaining 10 overs with part-timers, Salman Agha and Irfan Khan. The move proved to be disastrous as the two part-timers leaked 118 runs combined.
"Rizwan will seek more power in the selection of the playing eleven for the match, and there is a possibility that if not given full power, then he might resign from ODI captaincy," the source said.
Sources also stated that the PCB has communicated with a few foreign coaches to take over from interim head coach Aaqib Javed while some former Pakistan players are also in line to get the high-profile job.
Pakistan players will now be busy in the PSL 2025 till May 18, after which they host Bangladesh for five T20Is.
(With IANS Inputs)
