PAK vs ENG: Babar Azam’s reappointment as captain shocked everyone in Pakistan, claims Imad Wasim

Pakistan National Cricket Team all-rounder Imad Wasim talked about the decision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reappoint Babar Azam as the captain of the white-ball team. He mentioned that he was surprised by the decision that was made ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan National Cricket Team has made quite a few surprising decisions in the last few months. One of the biggest decisions that unfolded was the reappointment of Babar Azam as the captain of the white-ball team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Babar was removed as the captain of the team after the Pakistan National Cricket Team had a debacle in the ICC World Cup 2023. The right-hander was sacked as a white-ball leader before he decided to step down as the captain of the team in the longest format of the game as well.

With Babar getting sacked, it was Shaheen Afridi, who was allowed to captain the team in the white-ball format. However, his stint didn't last long as the pacer was given just one series to prove himself. He faced a 4-1 loss against New Zealand as T20I captain and then was removed as the leader of the team.

As Shaheen Afridi was removed, the Pakistan Cricket Board made Babar the captain of the team again. The move, however, didn't work, as after that, the team faced disappointing losses. They couldn't win the T20I series against the second-string New Zealand National Cricket Team.

After that, the Pakistan National Cricket Team lost to Ireland and, after that, lost to England in the T20I series as well. Babar Azam's poor run as a captain continued as the right-hander struggled to get going in the T20 World Cup 2024. As a leader, he faced losses against the United States of America as well as India and then faced a group stage exit from the tournament as well.

Not only as a leader but Babar struggled to get going with the bat as well. The right-hander failed to score runs. He was heavily criticized by the fans and experts, and the Pakistan cricket board came under scanner for reappointing him as a leader.

Yes, I was surprised - Imad Wasim on Babar Azam getting reappointed as Pakistan captain

Imad Wasim, who played under the leadership of Babar Azam, talked about the captain's reappointment. He said that he was surprised, but it was the call of selectors to appoint him as the leader of the team.

Wasim also mentioned that not only him but the entire team was surprised as well with Babar Azam's reappointment as the captain of the team. He also denied making further comments on the same. Speaking about this, he stated:

"Yes, I was surprised, but what can I say, it's ultimately the selectors' call, whatever they thought was the best option, they picked the team, they picked the captain, so yeah, I was surprised. Everybody was surprised, to be honest, not just me, but everyone in Pakistan as well. So, I can't say no, but yes, I was surprised."

Imad Wasim "I was surprised that Babar Azam was re-appointed captain" #Cricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/1T7EUwVlEs

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 13, 2024

Babar Azam is currently playing in the domestic tournament in Pakistan. He returned to form and slammed a vital half-century in the games against the Lions. He played a vital innings of 76 runs off 79 balls. The right-hander slammed 9 fours in his innings and batted with a strike rate of 96.2.