Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and a few other players are likely to be rested in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.

The three-match series between the two sides will be played in Sharjah later in March.

With both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan set to be rested, a few candidates have emerged as favorites to lead the side, including returning Imad Wasim.

Other possible captaincy candidates are vice-captain Shadab Khan, who missed the New Zealand series, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shan Masood.

In absence of Babar, Shadab, being the vice-captain is one of the obvious choices. But the new management is keen on experimenting with either Shaheen or Shan and Imad.

Shaheen has been one of the most successful captains of the Pakistan Super League. He led Lahore Qalandars to their maiden title last year. Meanwhile, Shadab, Imad, and Shan all have experience leading their respective sides in the PSL.

Afridi posted a picture of him with the skipper and Rizwan with Pakistan’s flag but didn’t give any caption, leaving social media users to perceive his message is in support of his teammates.

Opportunity for youngsters

Multan Sultans pacer Ihsanullah, Peshawar Zalmi batter Saim Ayub, and Islamabad United hard-hitting batter Azam Khan are likely to be rewarded for their outstanding run in the PSL8.

The 20-year-old is the second-highest wicket-taker in the season with 20 scalps to his name. Saim, who impressed everyone with his stylish batting is seventh on the list when it comes to top scorers.

He has so far scored 309 runs at an impressive strike rate of 167.02. Meanwhile, Azam Khan, who is not far behind Saim, has scored 280 a strike rate of 162.79.