Shaheen Afridi handed over Pakistan captaincy from Babar Azam in the middle of T20 World Cup 2024

Former KKR team director Joy Bhattacharjya and former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull shared their thoughts on Babar Azam's future as Pakistan skipper after the T20 World Cup 2024. Joy Bhattacharjya and Simon Doull stated that Babar Azam should step down from the captaincy of the Pakistan national cricket team.

Babar Azam was reappointed as the captain of Pakistan in white-ball formats in March this year. Babar replaced Shaheen Afridi as T20I captain in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green suffered losses against second-string New Zealand, Ireland, and England during his second term as Pakistan skipper.

The Pakistan team was stunned by the United States of America (USA) in their first match in the T20 World Cup 2024. They went on to lose against arch-rivals India in their second group-stage match. They are on the brink of elimination and are hoping other results will go in their favor to advance to the Super 8s.

The Babar Azam-led team is currently in third place in the five-team points table with two points and a net run rate (NRR) of +0.191. They will face Ireland in their final group-stage match in Florida on Sunday, June 16. Their recent victory against Canada boosts their confidence ahead of the match against Ireland.

Babar Azam Is Not The Right Captain For Pakistan - Joy Bhattacharjya

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Joy Bhattacharjya said that Babar Azam is not the right captain for Pakistan, despite being a great player. Bhattacharjya stated that Babar is not a natural captain and suggested that he should step down to allow other leaders to emerge.

"I don't think he's the right captain for Pakistan. He's a great player, like Tendulkar. I'd rather see him not captain. I want to see him in Pakistan colors for a long, long time. I think he's technically the most competent batsman. I don't think he is a natural captain, not in my book. I'm happy for him to give way to other leadership," Joy Bhattacharjya said.

Shaheen Afridi Will Captain The Side Post This T20 World Cup - Simon Doull

During the same conversation, Simon Doull said that Shaheen Afridi should be the next Pakistan captain. Doull said that Shaheen will likely take over the charge of the team after the T20 World Cup. Doull said that Babar Azam's value as a batsman is more beneficial than as a captain.

"Shaheen leads the side in the Pakistan Super League. I think he's the next captain, provided he remains fit and healthy. I think he will captain the side post this T20 World Cup, particularly in the white-ball formats. He's got that leadership. He's very, very tough on the field. I think they need Babar Azam the batsman, more than Babar the captain. Sometimes, when your best player is also your captain, it's not always ideal. I think Babar the batter is far more beneficial to Pakistan cricket than Babar the captain," Simon Doull said.

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