Pakistan named Babar Azam as their new test captain on Tuesday, putting the batsman in charge of teams across all formats.
Babar replaces Azhar Ali, who led Pakistan to a 1-0 series defeat in England earlier this year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the announcement after Babar led the team to Twenty20 and one-day international series victories over Zimbabwe on home soil.
“As we are looking into the future, it is appropriate that we appoint him the captain now so that he continues to grow stronger with every match,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said in a statement.
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
Babar has been a prolific scorer for Pakistan and currently ranks among the top five batsmen in all three formats.
The 26-year-old’s first assignment as test skipper will be the ICC World Test Championship matches against New Zealand, which will be played in Mount Maunganui and Christchurch from 26-30 December and 3-7 January respectively.
“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.”
