LAHORE: Pakistan’s former skipper and star batter Babar Azam is likely to be appointed as Pakistan captain once again as sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the development.
According to the reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing to reappoint Babar Azam as captain ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Local media sources also reported that Shaheen Shah Afridi’s T20I captaincy is under threat.
The development come after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s last week press conference during which he stated that the seven-member selection committee would decide on the team’s captaincy. “Shaheen Shah Afridi will remain the captain or there will be a new skipper, this decision will be taken after the consultation by the selection committee,” the PCB chairman said.
Initially, Mohammad Rizwan was a leading candidate to replace Shaheen. However, recent developments have revealed Babar Azam as the primary candidate for the captaincy once again. Sources privy to the development said that Babar Azam, who returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah, might meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials before leaving for Abbottabad to join a 29-member squad for a special fitness camp with Pakistan Army at PMA Kakul.
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After the flop show of the Pakistan Cricket Team in the 2023 World Cup, Baba Azam extended his resignation from his role as captain of the team. Later, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi took over T20I leadership. Following his removal from T20I captaincy, Babar stood down from red-ball leadership, resulting in Shan Masood’s nomination as Test captain. After the appointment of new captains, Pakistan’s performance suffered, as they lost all three Tests in Australia and the T20I series defeat (4-1) in New Zealand.
Local publication reported that Babar Azam was dissatisfied with the handling of his previous removal from the captaincy and he hasn’t yet made up his mind to accept the responsibility again. He might”take up” several issues in front of the cricket board and will only agree to reassume the captaincy if his concerns are addressed.
Meanwhile, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have reversed their international retirements and are likely to be included in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the World Cup. A day earlier, sources told that the PCB approached former New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Luke Ronchi and offered him the head coach role of Pakistan national side.