In a significant move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reinstated Babar Azam as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team. After a brief interlude under Shaheen Afridi’s leadership, Babar Azam is set to lead the team once again, aiming to rejuvenate their performance and strategy.
The Comeback Story
Babar Azam, who previously captained the team across all formats until the 2023 World Cup, will now take charge ahead of the crucial T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. His return follows Pakistan’s disappointing 4-1 series loss against New Zealand under Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy.
A Rocky Road
After the 2023 World Cup in India, where Pakistan faced an early exit, Babar’s leadership was temporarily set aside. During this period, Shaheen Afridi led the T20 side, while Shan Masood took over the Test captaincy. The ODI captaincy remained uncertain.
Mixed Reactions
The decision to re-appoint Babar Azam as captain has sparked mixed reviews within the cricketing fraternity. Some argue that Babar deserves vindication after his earlier removal from captaincy, while others express reservations about his return after already serving for four years.
Eyes on the Prize
All eyes are now on Babar as he prepares to lead Pakistan in the upcoming challenges. The series against New Zealand, scheduled for April 2024, will be a litmus test. Babar aims to set the tone for Pakistan’s journey towards T20 World Cup glory.
