Virat Kohli's special aid labels Babar Azam the best captain to lead Pakistan

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has backed Babar Azam to continue leading the Pakistan cricket team despite their disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Sanjay Bangar stated that Babar Azam is still the best man to lead Pakistan, adding that he should improve his decision-making.

Babar Azam came under pressure following the Men in Green's group-stage exit from the ICC tournament. Babar faced criticism from former cricketers and cricket analysts after Pakistan lost to the United States of America (USA). They then lost to arch-rivals India before recording wins against Canada and Ireland.

The Pakistan national cricket team finished with four points at the end of the group stage. India and the United States of America advanced to the Super 8 stage from Group A. The Rohit Sharma-led team remained unbeaten in the group stage, while the United States of America ended with five points in their tally.

That Can be Slightly More Assertive - Sanjay Bangar

Speaking on Star Sports, Sanjay Bangar said that Babar Azam should take decisive leadership actions, including the use of the Decision Review System (DRS), without letting others influence his decision-making process. Bangar added that these adjustments could strengthen Babar's captaincy for Pakistan's future.

"I still believe he is still the best man to lead Pakistan. He has to be a little bit more assertive in terms of the usage of the DRS as well. You can gauge your personality. It seems that he is letting others come into his way of decision-making. So, as a captain, you have to be decisive. That’s a quality that can be slightly more assertive. That can help his decision-making," Sanjay Bangar told Star Sports.

Babar Azam stepped down as captain across formats after Pakistan's disappointment in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi controversially reappointed him as the white-ball skipper, removing Shaheen Afridi from captaincy after just one series.

There Is No Alternative As Well - Sanjay Bangar

Sanjay Bangar highlighted that the PCB's decision to reinstate Babar Azam as captain reflects a lack of viable alternatives. He emphasized the importance of supporting Babar with a strong team and management to enhance Pakistan's performance in future World Cups.

"There is no alternative as well because Pakistan tried to do away with his captaincy after the 50-over World Cup debacle. But they had to go back to him again. It clearly shows that there are not a lot of potential captaincy candidates. So stick with Babar, give him the team, give him a good support system around him so that Pakistan can do well in the next World Cup," Bangar added.

PCB appointed Shan Masood for the red ball and Shaheen Afridi for the white ball when Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy in late 2023. Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan have leadership experience in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Babar recently stated that the final decision on his captaincy lies in the hands of the PCB.

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