Pakistan Cricket Team are out of the Cricket World Cup. As Pakistan failed to pull off a mission impossible with the loss to England, it’s time to focus on what’s next. And with the exit, a chapter of Pakistani cricket could also come to an end. Babar Azam is mulling quitting captaincy after returning home from Kolkata following WC. He has already consulted former PCB chief Ramiz Raja. Back in Lahore, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will hold a formal meeting next week to take a call on the captaincy, which could be split for reed and white-ball formats.
As per Geo News, Babar Azam will take a final call after discussing with his father and close aides. If he takes the decision, he will vacate all three leadership roles before travelling to Australia. Under Babar’s captaincy, Pakistan reached final of T20 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in 2022.
Meanwhile, PCB will take its own decision after the meeting in Lahore. Apart from PCB officials and Pakistan Cricket Team coaches, former cricketers and Babar Azam will also attend the meeting.
Why Babar Azam stepping down?
The reason is instability in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). With the top brass changing every 3-6 months, the captain has often been made the scapegoat.
During the Cricket World Cup campaign, Zaka Ashraf-led board has already thrown the captain under the bus, saying the captain and chief selector had full freedom in team selection. However, as things have not gone as per plans, Babar Azam is under pressure.
After the PAK vs ENG game, Babar Azam said would take a call after returning home.
“We have to sit together. Let’s see. Will take positives and discuss our mistakes also. I will do the best to pitch in my experience,” Babar Azam said.
Babar Azam captaincy record
| Format | Matches | Won | Loss | Draw | W/L % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 62.5 |
| ODI | 43 | 26 | 14 | 1 | 64.63 |
| T20I | 71 | 42 | 23 | 6 | 64.61 |
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