High expectations were set for star batsman Babar Azam by former Pakistan Test cricketer and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who said he should demonstrate his potential like Sir Vivian Richards.

Babar is now going through a difficult time. The ace batsman’s string of poor showings in the longest format also led to his exclusion from the final two Test matches of the just finished three-match series against England.

Although Babar has amassed 3,997 runs at a respectable average of 43.92 in 55 Test matches, he hasn’t reached a half-century in the format since 2022.

Babar Azam’s numbers in white-ball cricket were praised by Ramiz Raja, who pointed out that he needs to work harder in the longest format given his red-ball statistics.

Citing the legend’s propensity to perform well in pivotal games, he further counseled the star batter to demonstrate he is Sir Vivian Richards through his disposition.

“I think Babar needs to do much more in Test cricket. His average in both T20I and ODI is over fifty, and he excels at the white-ball format.On his YouTube channel, Raja stated, “Babar Azam has a lot of potential.”

He must now demonstrate to the world that he is Vivian Richards by his attitude. “The more innings Richards used to play, the bigger the contest,” he continued.

For those who are unaware, Babar Azam is presently touring Australia for the three-match ODI and T20I series.

With 271 runs needed to reach 6000, the star batter is about to reach a significant ODI milestone.

Additionally, he has a good chance of breaking the record held by South African great Hashim Amla for the fastest journey to 6000 ODI runs.

The sudden resignation of Gary Kirsten as head coach of the white-ball cricket team has prompted a warning from Ramiz Raja, the former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

In April 2024, Kirsten was appointed by the cricket board for a two-year term. He did, however, leave the position on October 28 after only six months.

During Pakistan’s four-match T20I series against England in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the South African took the lead.

Pakistan lost the series against England and were eliminated from the T20 World Cup group stage while he was the white-ball head coach.

Kirsten’s resignation, according to the sources, followed his arguments with the cricket board on central contracts and white-ball teams for the forthcoming tour of Australia and Zimbabwe.

Notably, in the past, the selection committee included voting members who were head coaches and captains of the various versions.

Nevertheless, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) restructured the selection committee after Pakistan’s crushing loss to England in the first Test match, eliminating the coach and captain from the process. This did not sit well with Gary Kirsten.

In a statement to the media, Ramiz Raja predicted that the cricket board will have trouble in the future recruiting elite international coaches.

“Hiring international talent won’t be an easy, straightforward task for Pakistan, especially when you consider the kind of backlash that Gary Kirsten’s resignation is likely to cause,” Ramiz stated.

It is imperative that you provide clarity regarding the role to the person you have engaged and involved. Gary Kirsten may or may not have received that clarity.

Pakistan needed an experienced hand, therefore her departure is not good news. Just before a tour, it doesn’t appear very well from a distance.

Shahid Afridi, the former captain and all-rounder of Pakistan, endorsed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to designate Mohammad Rizwan as the white-ball captain of the national men’s side.

On Sunday, Rizwan succeeded Babar Azam as Pakistan’s white-ball captain after Babar resigned from the position earlier this month to concentrate more on his playing responsibilities.

Rizwan’s inaugural assignment as captain will be the white-ball series in Australia, commencing on 4 November.

Rizwan, who commenced his white-ball cricket career in 2015, has participated in 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, amassing 5,401 runs, including four hundreds, and has had 143 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.

Rizwan will assume the role of Pakistan’s 31st captain as he leads the side in the opening ODI against Australia in Melbourne on 4 November. He will be the 12th individual to captain Pakistan in the T20I format during the first match in Brisbane on 14 November.

Concurrently, the esteemed all-rounder Shahid Afridi expressed his enthusiasm for the PCB’s decision to appoint wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as the team’s captain. He conveyed assurance in Rizwan’s capacity to elevate the white-ball team to unprecedented levels.

Afridi stated on X, formerly Twitter, “If you seek a captain who exemplifies strategy, courage, optimism, vitality, and fervor, Rizwan is your ideal choice.”

“I am delighted that @TheRealPCB has assigned him this significant responsibility.” I am fully confident that he would advance this white-ball team and fulfill the elevated expectations of people who desire the prosperity and success of Pakistan cricket,” he added.

The 32-year-old wicketkeeper will commence his captaincy during the matches against Australia and the ODIs against Zimbabwe, but will be rested for the T20Is against Zimbabwe.

In his absence, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha will command Pakistan in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.