ENG vs PAK: Babar Azam and Pakistan team don't need a vice-captain claims Mohsin Naqvi

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi believes that Babar Azam doesn't need a deputy to assist him at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 next month.

Babar Azam and co. are currently in the final stage of their European tour which began earlier this month with a 3-match T20I series in Ireland. The Pakistani team flew over to England following the Irish series wherein they won their first series in over a year by a margin of 2-1.

The Men in Green are currently awaiting for their series concluding match against England in the 4-match T20I series in which the hosts lead by 1-0. Babar Azam's side has remained a bit unlucky as 2 out of the 3 matches were washed out due to rain, that too, without a ball bowled. The 2nd T20I is the only match that took place and therein the hosts had clinched victory by 23 runs.

Why does Mohsin Naqvi think Babar Azam doesn't need a vice-captain?

Mohsin Naqvi was recently at the Pakistan House based in London for a Dinner with the Pakistani team and the coaching staff. Therein, he took time out to speak to the media and spoke about the vice-captaincy dilemma, whether the team needed it or not.

Naqvi, who took office last year, claimed that Babar Azam alone is more than capable of handling the leadership role. The PCB chief believes that Babar is an experienced captain and he doesn't need a deputy to assist him in managing the highly capable team. "In my opinion, Babar Azam alone is more than sufficient. This team has the best combination and is highly capable." - Naqvi said.

One of the main reasons behind PCB not appointing a vice-captain could be that they don't divide opinions between the skipper and his deputy. The Pakistani team anyway is going through a rough period and they might not want to create any further indifferences.

In the previous T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, it was under the captaincy of Babar Azam that Pakistan reached the knock-outs on both occasions. In 2021, the Green Army had gone all the way to the semi-finals before Australia knocked them out while in 2022, they were defeated by England in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Naqvi demands full support for the team

Mohsin Naqvi then encouraged all the people in Pakistan to support their country at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. The PCB chief urged everyone to stop their criticism against the team for the next month as he believes that this is the team, which is capable of winning the World Cup after the failed attempt in 2022.

"This is the time to support the team. I urge everyone to stop criticizing the team for the next four weeks. This team will win the World Cup for you." - Naqvi added.

Mohsin Naqvi also revealed that he has asked the players to remain firm in their stance of preparing well and not thinking too much about the results. Lastly, Naqvi affirmed that he sees the team going into the last stages of the tournament by God's grace.

"I have encouraged the players to focus on their game without the pressure of winning or losing. Give your best effort. Winning and losing are in Allah's hands. I see this team going very far in the World Cup." - Mohsin Naqvi concluded.