Finally the rumor came true. Babar Azam returned as the captain of Pakistan. PCB said today that he will lead the country’s ODI and T20 teams. After the last ODI World Cup, Babar was forced to withdraw from the leadership of the three editions.
After that, Shan Masood was led in Test and Shaheen Shah Afridi in T20. Afridi has been removed from T20 captaincy. In other words, Pakistan will play T20 World Cup under the leadership of Babar. Masud survived as Test captain.
Pakistan have played only one T20 series under Afridi so far. Pakistan lost the series 4-1 to New Zealand in January this year. Concerns over Afridi’s captaincy of the Pakistan team have been raised in this season of PSL under his authority, Lahore Qalandars were champions twice recently but made it to the final this season. Lahore have won 1 out of 8 matches played this season.
The official talk about Afridi’s leadership started on March 25. While announcing the new selection committee that day, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi said, “Even I don’t know who will be the captain.” Whether Shaheen will continue or a new one will come will be decided after the fitness camp.’ However, the announcement of Babar’s return as captain came during the fitness camp. The fitness camp will continue till April 8
Babar has also led Pakistan in the last two T20 World Cups. Babar’s team played the semi-finals in the 2021 T20 World Cup. In the final in the next World Cup in 2022.
With Babar returning as captain, the fear of grouping in the Pakistan team cannot be ruled out. A few days ago, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, both of Babur’s biggest critics, announced their return from retirement. In the last ODI World Cup, these two washed Babar in a televised program. He also commented that there is no place for Babar in Pakistan’s T20 team. So there is curiosity about what will happen to their relationship after Babar returns as captain.