Babar Azam Reinstated as Pakistan’s White-Ball Skipper | Will lead Pakistan Until World T20 2024
In a move anticipated for days, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially announced on Sunday that Babar Azam has been reappointed as the national side captain for ODIs and T20Is.
The 28-year-old’s reinstatement comes just four months after he had reluctantly stepped down from the role following Pakistan’s disappointing group stage exit at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Babar’s return sees Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brief tenure as T20I captain come to an end after just one series – a 4-1 loss away to New Zealand in January.
The young pace spearhead had also endured a miserable Pakistan Super League campaign as captain of Lahore Qalandars, who finished bottom of the table with just one win.
“Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain,” the board announced on their X account.
The reinstatement marks an apparent change of stance from the PCB’s new regime led by Naqvi. It was under recently ousted chairman Zaka Ashraf that Babar had been removed controversially last November, leading the star batter to resign in protest.
Reports indicate Babar only accepted the captaincy again after receiving assurances from Naqvi that he would not be similarly dismissed after this year’s T20 World Cup in June.
The classy right-hander has also allegedly demanded greater control over selection matters than he had in his previous stint.
With the majority of the newly appointed four-member selection panel reportedly keen on Babar’s return, the decision represents a vote of confidence in his leadership despite Pakistan’s World Cup disappointment.
However, it remains to be seen if the move will be popular with fans, with some feeling the senior player has lost his luster as captain.
Babar’s first assignment since his reappointment will be a five-match T20I home series against New Zealand next month as Pakistan ramp up preparations for their T20 World Cup title in the West Indies and USA.
All eyes will be on how Babar fares in his second stint leading the white-ball teams of Pakistan.
