Babar Azam appointed Pakistan Test captain

The 26-year-old is now the skipper across all three formats after succeeding Azhar Ali

• For the generation who missed out on Pakistan playing at home, England must tour if they can

Pakistan have appointed Babar Azam as Test captain.

The 26-year-old succeeds Azhar Ali, who had led the team on a permanent basis since 2019.

In May, Babar was named white-ball captain across both formats.

Azhar led Pakistan in the England Test tour but the team slumped to a 1-0 series loss.

Across his nine Tests at the helm - he skippered the team once in 2016 - he won two, lost four and drew three.

"I feel truly honoured to have been appointed Test captain and join some of the most iconic players who have captained Pakistan in the purest format of the game," said Babar, who has played 26 Tests, scoring 2,045 runs. 

Babar Azam has been appointed as Pakistan Test captain, which now makes him the captain across all three formats. His first assignment will be to captain Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against New Zealand.https://t.co/sj1SS6vEqz pic.twitter.com/S7EDhaiR2N

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 10, 2020

"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."

Babar's tenure as Pakistan's 32nd captain in the longest format starts against New Zealand in December and January.