Babar Azam replaces Azhar Ali as Paksitan's new Test captain

World No. 5 Babar Azam has been named Pakistan's new Test captain as he replaces Azhar Ali in the longest format of the game. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani confirmed the appointment of Babar on Tuesday.

Babar Azam will now lead Pakistan in all 3 formats of the game. He was appointed as the T20I captain last year while his meteoric rise in international cricket promoted the management to name him as the ODI captain earlier this year.

Babar Azam will lead Pakistan in the upcoming Test series, also part of ICC World Test Championship, in New Zealand from December 26 to January 7. Azhar Ali had led Pakistan to England earlier this year as the Asian giants resumed international following the enforced break due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan lost 1-0 despite coming up with valiant performances against Joe Root's men.

Mani confirmed that Azhar Ali will remain to be an integral member of the Pakistan Test team while congratulating Babar Azam for the elevation as Test captain.

Babar Azam's appointment comes hours after Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in a 3-match T20I series in Rawalpindi.

Reacting to his



appointment, Babar Azam said: "I feel truly honoured to have been appointed Test captain and join some of the most iconic players who have captained Pakistan in the purist format of the game. I can now say with conviction that dreams can come true only if you chase them with honesty, dedication and commitment.

"I am ready and prepared to take up the additional responsibility and the fact which gives me additional confidence is that I can do the job is the experience that is available to me in the changing room in the shape of the players and support staff.

"I want to thank Azhar Ali for the way he captained the team in the last season, which was a difficult one, but I know that he will leave no stone unturned in giving his very best to the team."

PCB chairman Mani said the cricket board found this the right time to hand Babar the Test captaincy.

“Babar Azam was identified at a very young age as a future leader and as part of his progression and development, he was appointed white-ball captain last year. With his consistent performance and leadership skills, he has demonstrated that he is ready to take on the additional responsibilities of a captain."