• Source:PTI
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With the Pakistan cricket team facing challenges in the ongoing World Cup and the future international cricket calendar, discussions are underway regarding the potential replacement for Babar Azam as the national team's captain as per reports.

As per a report in PTI, several names have emerged as potential candidates to lead the Pakistan cricket team, including Sarfaraz Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The decision regarding the new captain is expected to be made upon the team's return from the World Cup in India.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to tour Australia immediately after the World Cup, which makes it essential to have a captain in place for the upcoming series. Additionally, the team needs to formulate a strategy and leadership for upcoming major events like the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

There appears to be a growing consensus within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that Babar Azam has had his opportunity to prove himself as captain, and there is a sense of disappointment over the results achieved under his leadership.

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Pakistan has four more league games remaining in the World Cup and is still in contention to qualify for the semifinals. However, their recent performance, including a loss to Afghanistan, has raised concerns about their prospects in the tournament.

"Only if Pakistan can stage a miracle and win all their remaining matches to qualify for the semi-finals of this World Cup does Babar stand any chance of surviving as captain and even then he might be relegated to skipper in just the red ball format,” one reliable source close to the developments said.

The source said that the knives were out for Babar and he might as well announce his resignation as captain if the team returns home without playing in the World Cup semifinals.

“It is over for Babar because he has been given unbridled power and authority as captain and more importantly he has always had players of his choice in the team.

"There has never been any attempt to reduce his authority and so he is now being held solely responsible for the Asia Cup and World Cup defeats,” the source added.

It has been noted that for major tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup, there were recommendations made by former captains Misbah ul Haq and Muhammad Hafeez to make certain changes in the team's composition. However, Babar Azam had the authority to select the 18 players he wanted for these events. Chief selector Inzamam ul Haq also extended full support to his choices.

“The PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashraf ignored the advice of Misbah and Hafeez and some other former players whom he consulted as Babar was adamant he didn't want changes in the team for the World Cup,” the source said.

Misbah ul Haq, in a recent television appearance, confirmed that he had advised Babar Azam to include the mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed in the World Cup squad. However, Babar decided to take Abrar as a traveling reserve rather than a part of the main squad.

Interestingly, lobbying for potential candidates for the captaincy role has already begun. Names like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shan Masood have emerged as contenders, and supporters of these candidates are actively working to garner support within the cricket board.

It is anticipated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may opt to appoint different captains for the red and white ball formats. The decision on the new captain will be a significant one and will impact Pakistan's cricketing future, including upcoming series and major tournaments.

“Sarfaraz might win the nod to captain the Test and ODI sides again while Shaheen may get a chance to be the T20 captain,” the source added. Sarfaraz is currently not part of the World Cup squad.

The source also disclosed that the support staff of Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, Mornie Merkel, Andrew Puttick and manager Rehan ul Haq are also under the scanner and will be asked to step down after the World Cup.

“They are very bright chances that Pakistan will have a new coaching staff and captain when they embark on the Test tour of Australia and for the white ball series in New Zealand after the WC,” the source said.

Babar was initially named T20 captain in late 2019 but by 2021 he had taken over captaincy of all three formats.

 

Inputs from PTI