Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batsman, has set a condition for his return to national team captaincy across all formats, according to various reports. This development comes after the PCB, under new chairman Mohsin Naqvi, reportedly approached Azam to lead the team following his resignation in the wake of the 2023 World Cup.
Azam’s resignation under the previous PCB regime led by Zaka Ashraf was allegedly involuntary, causing hesitation to accept the offer again. Some reports suggest he was pressured to step down.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, the PCB appears to be prioritizing experience. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s stint as T20I captain proved unsuccessful, culminating in a 4-1 series defeat against New Zealand and raising questions about his leadership during the recently concluded PSL 2024, where his Lahore Qalandars team managed just one victory.
While Shaheen’s removal as T20I captain has elicited mixed reactions, with some advocating for more time to prove himself, others believe his appointment was a misstep from the outset.
Reports indicate that Azam is the frontrunner to lead the team in the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home. However, it remains unclear if his captaincy will extend to the ODI format, with no immediate fixtures scheduled. Shan Masood, who started his Test captaincy with a series whitewash against Australia, is also not in contention for renewed leadership.
The official announcement regarding Azam’s captaincy is awaited, but his conditional offer highlights lingering concerns from his previous experience. If the PCB accepts his terms, it would mark a significant return for Azam and potentially provide much-needed stability for the Pakistani team as they gear up for the T20 World Cup.
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