Pakistan's head coach for the limited overs format, Gary Kirsten, returned to his country South Africa after assessing the situation of Pakistan's players in the Champions Cup and several meetings with selectors and board officials on the state of cricket in the country. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce the successor of captain Babar Azam in the white ball format later this month.

A board official said, "Kirsten will join the Pakistan team directly in Melbourne on October 29 for the white ball series in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa." Pakistan has to play a total of 18 matches (nine ODIs and as many T20 matches) in these three countries in November-December, starting with the first ODI in Melbourne on November 4.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are contenders for Pakistan's captaincy in the limited overs format. A source close to the board said, "Kirsten and even Jason Gillespie have discussed the issue of captaincy with others in the selection committee, but the decision will be taken keeping in mind the behavior and recent performance of the future and potential candidates."

This source said that Rizwan is the frontrunner to become Pakistan's white-ball captain and a youngster will be the vice-captain of the side so that the team management can manage his workload.