The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to be rethinking its leadership choices, with whispers suggesting a possible return to captaincy for Babar Azam. This comes after recent stints by Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi in Test and T20I formats, respectively, haven’t yielded the desired results for Pakistan Cricket Team.
Loss of faith in Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi?
Sources within the PCB told PTI that there is a shift in thinking, with doubts emerging about Masood and Afridi’s ability to lead the national side effectively. This change in stance coincides with the recent appointment of a new PCB chairman.
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Babar Azam reservations and demands
While Babar Azam might be open to reclaiming the captaincy, he reportedly has some reservations. He’s seeking assurances from the new chairman before committing himself to the role. This comes after being removed from captaincy in all formats last year following Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup performance.
Babar Azam reign and removal
Babar Azam donned the captain’s hat across all formats in 2020. However, a string of underwhelming performances in major tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup led to his removal from white-ball leadership. He subsequently chose to step down from Test captaincy as well.
Shaheen Afridi short-lived stint for Pakistan Cricket Team
Shaheen Afridi’s rise as a potential captain initially seemed promising, especially considering his success in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Lahore Qalandars. However, his tenure as T20I captain began with a series loss in New Zealand and ended with a disappointing performance by the Qalandars in the recent PSL season. With these developments, his captaincy prospects seem to have dimmed.
PCB Seeks Guidance and Reconciliation
The new chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is reportedly seeking advice from former players for crucial decisions. Additionally, a meeting is planned with Babar Azam, along with recently returned players Imad Wasim and Muhammad Amir, to address any lingering issues and build a stronger team for the future.
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