Babar Azam set for T20I captaincy return after regaining Test leadership: Report
Lahore, July 8
Pakistan batter Babar Azam could be set for another stint as the country's T20I captain, with reports suggesting the Pakistan Cricket Board is considering restoring him to the role ahead of the team's upcoming assignments.
According to a report by Pakistani publication Daily Ausaf, the PCB is weighing a leadership change in the shortest format following an assessment of the national team's recent performances. If the move is approved, Babar is expected to replace Salman Ali Agha, who has been leading the side during the team's transition phase.
The development comes shortly after Babar regained Pakistan's Test captaincy, indicating that the board may once again be placing its faith in one of the country's most experienced leaders across formats.
No official confirmation has been issued by the PCB, but the report said Babar has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge of the T20I side once again as Pakistan begins preparations for upcoming international fixtures and future ICC events.
Babar previously captained Pakistan across all three formats and enjoyed considerable success in T20 internationals. Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the semifinals of the 2021 T20 World Cup before finishing runners-up in the 2022 edition. He also recorded one of the best winning percentages among Pakistan's T20I captains during his previous tenure.
Current skipper Salman Ali Agha is expected to remain part of Pakistan's plans even if the captaincy changes hands, with the report indicating that the PCB continues to value his role within the squad.
Babar remains one of Pakistan's most dependable batters in white-ball cricket, and his experience, leadership credentials and familiarity with the demands of captaincy are believed to be among the factors influencing the board's thinking.
The report added that an official announcement is expected only after the PCB completes its internal discussions and finalises the squad for Pakistan's next T20I series. Until then, the board has not commented publicly on the speculation surrounding the captaincy.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As an Indian cricket fan, I have to admit Babar is a class act. But captaincy seems to affect his batting form. Remember how he struggled during the last T20 World Cup as captain? Maybe PCB should think twice before piling more pressure on him. Just my two cents.
Pakistan cricket's revolving door policy for captains is hilarious from outside, but seriously they need stability. Babar is their best batter, give him the role and back him for at least two years. Also, Salman Ali Agha has done decently in the transition phase, hope he gets retained in the squad.
Interesting to see this parallel with Indian cricket - we also have Rohit Sharma returning as T20I captain after the World Cup win. Babar getting the Test captaincy back was expected, but T20I too? That's a big responsibility. Hope he manages his workload better this time.
As a neutral observer, Babar is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen in the world. But his captaincy tactics in pressure situations have been questionable at times. The 2022 T20 World Cup final is a case in point - his bowling changes were puzzling. PCB should ensure he gets proper support staff.
Is this really what Pakistan needs right now? They have a young team that's finding its feet under Salman Ali Agha. Chopping and changing captaincy every few months won't help build a stable unit. Babar is world-class, no doubt, but let the current captain have a proper run first.
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