Analysis: AFFAN AHMED
The star batsman of the Pakistan cricket team Babar Azam who is considered among the top batsmen of the world cricket is news this week. With the ICC T Twenty World Cup 2024, which is going to start in June, the race for the captaincy of the national team has also started. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi offered former captain Babar Azam to take over the T20 captaincy.
It’s worth noting that Babar Azam has captained Pakistan in five international tournaments so far — the T20 World Cup 2021 and 2022, the Asia Cup 2022 and 2023, and the World Cup 2023 — But the Green Shirts did not win any title under his leadership.
After the conclusion of the ICC World Cup 2023, Babar was removed from the captaincy of all formats and Shaheen was made the shorter format and Shaan Masood as the Test captain, while no ODI captain was announced.
However, in response to Mohsin Naqvi’s offer, Babar Azam also placed some conditions of his own. According to the sources, Babar Azam expressed his desire to captain all three formats from PCB.
But the question arises that should Babar Azam be removed from the captaincy and Shaheen Afridi be made the captain, should he take back the captaincy?
Babar Azam, who led Pakistan to many victories under his captaincy, under whose leadership Pakistan set a record of defeating India in the World Cup, and on the other hand, Shaheen Afridi, who got only one chance to lead the national team, was removed. by Bringing Babar back can cause a rift between the two?
Mohammad Amir and Imad back in the national team and the captaincy of Babar Azam!
It should be noted that fast bowler Mohammad Amir and spin bowler Imad Wasim have also withdrawn their retirement and it is possible that they will also join the national team squad. You are all aware of the relationship between Muhammad Amir and Imad Wasim, how in the World Cup 2023, the impression given to them on social media and TV channels is that they will not get along.
Now here is also a question. Can the unity of the national team be damaged in a big tournament like the World Cup under the leadership of Babar Azam?
The chairman of PCB Mohsin Naqvi in an earlier press conference stated that he isn’t aware who will be the team’s captain in the World Cup. Naqvi’s presser gave birth to rumours which are likely to conclude with Afridi’s removal as the T20I captain.
“Even I don’t know who the captain will be,” Naqvi said. “Whether Shaheen continues or a new captain comes in will be determined after the fitness camp [starting on Monday].
