Pakistan team management is thinking of making Mohammad Rizwan the future captain: Rashid Latif

Ahead of the England-Pakistan three-match T20I series, many believed that former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed would be handed over the responsibility of keeping the wickets. However, the team management decided to go with Mohammad Rizwan due to his impressive performance in the Test series.

Rizwan even justified his selection in the shortest format by taking a brilliant catch of left-hander Moeen Ali in the abandoned first match. After the T20I, former cricketer Rashid Latif believes team management is considering Rizwan as a future captaincy candidate too.

“Rizwan was outstanding behind the stumps. If we are looking for a future captain, then Rizwan has the ability. He has lead Pakistan-A team as well. If the team management is playing him in every format, then they might be thinking of him as an option to lead if something happens in future,” Latif said on his YouTube channel Caught Behind.

Rizwan has the qualities of a captain: Rashid Latif

Latif also lauded Rizwan’s communication with bowlers. According to the 51-year-old, wicketkeeping isn’t limited to batting and keeping and a keeper should also play an influential role with his instructions from behind.

“His communication with bowlers is excellent. Wicketkeeping job isn’t limited to batting and keeping. A wicketkeeper has to run the team as well. He was running 50 per cent of the match. When Shadab got hit for a six, then Rizwan went to him and had a chat with him. Similarly, he was also placing fields because at a certain point when Babar was at mid-wicket, he didn’t have an idea about the gaps, so Rizwan highlighted them,” said Latif.

“Rizwan has the qualities of a captain. He has left a mark in this series, which should be appreciated. He will serve Pakistan for a long time,” he added.

Talking about Sarfaraz’s return, Latif said that the road is still open for the former Pakistan skipper. Citing examples of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez, Latif said that the selection door for Sarfaraz is open.

“If Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez can play, then Sarfaraz can play as well. The chapter of Sarfaraz isn’t closed yet. Many players get dropped and make a comeback. So he should be tried in at least one format,” he said.