Pakistan’s limited-overs captain, Babar Azam, has emerged as the top contender for the Test captaincy. It is widely reported that PCB is unhappy with Azhar Ali as captain and has been looking at different players as his potential replacement.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were reported to be the top two candidates, but as things stand Babar has been touted as the frontrunner for the Test captaincy.
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PCB Cricket Committee has also recommended removing Azhar from captaincy after a poor showing by Pakistan’s Test team in England. The committee has now proposed Babar Azam to be the new captain with Rizwan as his deputy.
According to sources, PCB Chairman, Ehsan Mani, has already had a meeting with Babar regarding the matter meaning that he can be appointed as the Test captain for Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. During the meeting, Mani assured Babar that he will have full authority over the team.
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The Cricket Committee has been concerned with Azhar’s poor batting form and his captaincy in the Test series especially the first Test which Pakistan lost despite being in a commanding position. Former fast bowler and current Cricket Committee member, Wasim Akram, has previously criticized Azhar’s captaincy.
Azhar Ali was named as the captain of the Pakistan Test team last year, replacing wicket-keeper, Sarfaraz Ahmed. Azhar has captained Pakistan in 9 tests, losing 4 and winning just 2.
Sarfaraz is a good captain with good experience. Why does the selection committee think that both Sarfaraz and Rizwan cannot play when both are performing in domestic test matches (Kindly do not count T20). Also, if they do want to groom Rizwan as captain then make him vice captain alongside Sarfaraz in test matches so he can learn from his senior.
INDEED SARFU SHOULD COME BACK IN TEAM
So they made Azhar ali captain when he was completely out of form and now that he is showing some form, they want to sack him. It seems that Azhar Ali is being made scapegoat for the team’s poor showing in Australia and first test match in England. Babar Azam needs to gain more experience of captaincy in white ball cricket, before he is in put in charge of test cricket. Also, Newzealand tour is expected to be one of the toughest tour. Letting an inexperienced Babar to captain the team in that tour defies logic. Azhar Ali should be given more time.
If i am not forget, Azher Ali was made captain of Pak team, when even he was not in 11 players, Now Babar will be under pressure of All formats to perform as player and captain. Is it wise decision. In all three formats have different caption with format experience. Give space to everyone who is performing in any format in local grounds.
For God sake depute sarfaraz as a captain in all three formats if you want betterment of pakistan cricket MR.AHSAN MANI