Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering Sarfaraz Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi as potential replacements for Babar Azam as captain due to recent World Cup defeats.
Pakistan cricket seems to be undergoing significant upheaval, with discussions intensifying around potential replacements for Babar Azam as captain. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are emerging as leading contenders for the role. With the team’s disappointing performance in the World Cup, the pressure on Babar Azam has intensified, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears inclined to seek new leadership.
As Pakistan gears up for a challenging tour of Australia following the World Cup and looks ahead to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the PCB is considering a potential shift in captaincy for different formats. While there is a possibility of Sarfaraz leading the Test and ODI sides, Shaheen may be entrusted with the T20 captaincy.
The narrative indicates a growing dissatisfaction with Babar Azam’s leadership, particularly concerning his authority over team selection and strategy. Despite advice from former captains like Misbah ul Haq and Muhammad Hafeez to make necessary changes for the Asia Cup and World Cup, Babar reportedly retained full control over the team selection, leading to criticism in the event of Pakistan’s recent defeats. The PCB chairman’s decision to uphold Babar’s preferences further contributed to the discontent within the board.
Additionally, the support staff, including notable names like Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, Mornie Merkel, Andrew Puttick, and manager Rehan ul Haq, is also under scrutiny, with indications suggesting their potential replacement post-World Cup. Reports of internal disputes within the team have added to the PCB’s concerns, despite the board publicly refuting these claims.
Babar Azam, initially appointed as the T20 captain in late 2019, eventually assumed the leadership role across all three formats by 2021. However, the recent string of underwhelming performances has cast doubt on his ability to steer the team effectively, prompting discussions about his future as captain, particularly in the wake of Pakistan’s World Cup campaign.
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