Former Pakistani cricketer Azhar Ali recently shared his insights on the performance and Babar Azam’s captaincy, focusing particularly on his reinstatement as the team’s captain for white-ball cricket. In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Azhar praised Babar’s batting prowess and noted the consistency he has exhibited throughout his tenure as captain.
Azhar highlighted Babar’s strong performance with the bat, emphasizing his consistent contributions to the team’s success under his captaincy. Despite any setbacks, Azhar expressed his confidence in Babar’s abilities as both a batsman and a leader.
“Babar’s performance as a batsman has been commendable. He has consistently delivered during his time as captain. Even if there were some challenges during the World Cup, it’s important to remember that many great captains have faced similar struggles,” Azhar remarked.
Regarding Babar Azam’s captaincy, Azhar conveyed his belief that there are no significant issues with Babar’s captaincy. However, he acknowledged that the recent changes in captaincy were less than ideal, neither the removal of Babar nor his subsequent reappointment.
“I don’t see any major concerns with Babar’s captaincy. The whole situation surrounding the captaincy wasn’t handled ideally. Neither removing him nor reinstating him was the perfect solution. Now, it’s crucial for the team to fully support him, ensuring there are no lingering tensions,” Azhar added.
Babar’s decision to step down from captaincy across all formats following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup raised eyebrows. Shaheen Shah Afridi took over as captain for T20Is, while Shan Masood assumed leadership in red-ball cricket. However, Shaheen’s leadership was scrutinized after Pakistan’s lackluster performance against New Zealand, prompting Babar’s return as the white-ball captain.
Azhar’s endorsement of Babar’s batting and leadership adds weight to the confidence placed in him by cricketing veterans. As Pakistan prepares for future challenges, Babar’s resilience and skill both on and off the field will undoubtedly be pivotal to the team’s success.
