Babar Azam set to become Pakistan captain once again, star batsman shows reluctancy for this reason

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised to reinstate Babar Azam as captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup, signaling a change in leadership. However, Babar Azam remains hesitant to accept the responsibility once again, despite the Pakistan board’s decision.

Babar Azam relinquished the captaincy across all formats following the Pakistan team’s disappointing campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Men in Green failed to advance to the playoffs in the 50-over ICC marquee tournament held in India last year.

Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi were appointed as the Test and T20I captains of the national team, respectively. Pakistan suffered a 0-3 loss in the Test series in Australia. Pakistan endured a disappointing 1-4 defeat in the five-match T20I series in New Zealand.

Babar Azam Might Replace Shaheen Afridi As Pakistan Captain

Earlier news reports suggested potential jeopardy for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s T20I captaincy. Mohammad Rizwan emerged as the primary contender, with former captain Babar Azam also under consideration.

While Rizwan was initially seen as the frontrunner, recent developments have positioned Babar as the leading candidate for the captaincy once more. PCB officials are nearing the conclusion of their deliberations regarding his appointment to the position.

Reports indicate Babar’s dissatisfaction with his prior captaincy removal and reluctance to reassume the role without assurances from the board. He awaits resolution on specific issues and will only accept the captaincy if his concerns are satisfactorily addressed.

Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir reversed their international retirements, possibly earning spots in Pakistan’s T20I World Cup squad. However, the prospective reinstatement of Babar Azam as captain prompts speculation about the relationship between him and Imad and Amir, who previously criticized Babar’s captaincy and batting in T20Is.

We Will Stick By Him For A Long Time – Mohsin Naqvi

After a change in PCB leadership, Mohsin Naqvi succeeded Zaka Ashraf as the Chairman of the Cricket Board. At a recent press conference in Lahore, Naqvi hinted at the possibility of a change in the captaincy of the Pakistan national cricket team.

“The matter of captaincy is being deliberated upon. I believe that the captain is the selection committee’s prerogative. They are working on it and I am sure they will finalise their decision after the camp is completed. But once the captain is finalised – whether it is Shaheen Shah Afridi or someone else – we will stick by him for a long time. No matter what the results are on the field, the selection committee will be held accountable. If the captain does not have a say in the team, you cannot hold him accountable as he leads the team. Same with the head coach, because he has to run the dressing room,” Naqvi said.

The selection committee unveiled a 29-player roster for the training camp preceding the forthcoming five-match home T20I series against New Zealand. This camp, scheduled at an Army base in Kakul from March 25 to April 8, will finalize the squad for the series.

After the New Zealand series, the Pakistan team will face England in their final series before the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in the Caribbean Islands and the West Indies in June this year.

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