PAK vs SA: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi Front-Runners To Take Captaincy From Babar Azam - Reports

In what has been the latest development as per the reports in PTI, it is learned that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s captaincy is under threat. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are front-runners to take the role and there will be split captaincy in the team.

Babar Azam’s place as a captain of the team has come under immense scrutiny after Pakistan’s loss to Afghanistan in the World Cup. The PCB isn’t impressed with his leadership skills and after the tournament concludes, the team might see a new captain.

Pakistan’s chances to make it into the semi-finals look bleak. Babar Azam hasn’t done a great job as a leader as his side has faced three back-to-back losses against India, Australia, and Afghanistan. Also, with high competition for the fourth spot, they need to win all the remaining games but their confidence surely would be low.

A source close to PCB revealed that Babar Azam will be retained as a captain only if Pakistan can qualify for the semi-finals. He added that even after that there’s no surety about his spot as he might be sacked as white-ball captain.

The source also revealed that while selecting a squad for the ICC World Cup 2023, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf even declined suggestions of veterans in Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq as Babar Azam didn’t want any change in the team. Speaking to PTI, he explained:

“Only if Pakistan can stage a miracle and win all their remaining matches to qualify for the semifinals of this World Cup does Babar stand any chance of surviving as captain and even then he might be relegated to skipper in just the red ball format.

“The PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashraf ignored the advice of Misbah and Hafeez and some other former players whom he consulted as Babar was adamant he didn’t want changes in the team for the World Cup.”

PAK vs SA: Pakistan to have new coaching staff and captain after World Cup; Babar Azam to be sacked – Reports

The source also revealed that Sarfaraz Ahmed is in contention to take the Test and ODI captaincy back. The keeper-batter led Pakistan to a champions trophy win in 2017 but hasn’t been in a white-ball setup. He also added that Shaheen Afridi might be given the T20I captaincy.

Apart from this, he also said that the coaching staff will be changed and there will be new support staff for the Australia series. He added:

“Sarfaraz might win the nod to captain the Test and ODI sides again while Shaheen may get a chance to be the T20 captain. They are very bright chances that Pakistan will have a new coaching staff and captain when they embark on the Test tour of Australia and for the white ball series in New Zealand after the WC.”

Pakistan will next be seen in action when they take on South Africa on Friday (27th October). A loss there would also end their chances of qualifying.