Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has questioned Babar Azam's reappointment as Pakistan's Test captain. The left-arm pacer said that the leadership role will add unnecessary mental pressure on Babar, warning that the extra responsibility could affect the batter's recent improvement with the bat.
The Pakistan Cricket Board recently reappointed Babar as Test captain. Babar replaced Shan Masood before the West Indies tour. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Test team started the two-match Test series against the West Indies with a 90-run defeat against the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
"That Is Not a Good Decision" - Mohammad Amir Questions Babar Azam's Return as Test Captain
Speaking on Wisden's podcast The Scoop Extended, Mohammad Amir questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to reappoint Babar Azam as Test captain. He said that Babar should focus only on his batting because he remains Pakistan's best player.
“He just started performing well now after a long, long time, like after two and a half years, you can say he's looking in good touch,” Amir said.“And suddenly you're putting him under pressure, like in Pakistan, you know, from media, our culture is very tough. You're always on your toes. You have to be answerable for every single thing. So now he's captain.
“I don't know what he's going to do. I think, for me, a personal opinion, he should have been playing like as a player, free of mind, less pressure because he's the only one like we can trust as a player, right? He's the best player in Pakistan right now. But I think as a captain, that's not a good decision.”
🗣️ "He's the only one we can trust as a player"
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 29, 2026
Mohammad Amir on the decision to reinstate Babar Azam as Pakistan Test captain 🇵🇰
Watch the full Scoop Extended interview 👉 https://t.co/AnFn6UrN93 pic.twitter.com/d38nkSj5tS
Babar Azam Boasts Impressive Batting Numbers as Pakistan Test Captain
Babar Azam has produced outstanding numbers while leading Pakistan in Test cricket. He has scored 1,808 runs in 37 innings at an average of 51.65, including four centuries and 12 half-centuries. His highest score as Test captain is 196.
Before the ongoing West Indies series, Babar had led Pakistan to 10 wins in 20 Tests. However, he has not scored a Test century in the last four years. He enjoyed an excellent campaign in the PSL 2026, finishing with 588 runs. The batter registered scores of 68 and 47 during Pakistan's recent tour of Bangladesh.
The PCB will hope Babar can carry that form into the remainder of the Test season as Pakistan look to improve their position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
Babar Azam's Unbeaten Fifty Goes in Vain as West Indies Beat Pakistan
Pakistan suffered a 90-run defeat to the West Indies in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. Chasing 211 for victory, the visitors were bowled out for 120 on the fourth day after another batting collapse.
Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 58 and shared a 49-run partnership with Mohammad Abbas, who scored 23. However, no other Pakistan batter crossed 20. Jayden Seales produced a match-winning spell, taking five wickets for 20 runs in the second innings.
Earlier in the match, Shan Masood scored 109 in the first innings before suffering a hand injury that forced him to bat lower down the order later in the game. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.
