Star batter Babar Azam has emerged as a top candidate as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).
The new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management under chairman Mohsin Naqvi is making significant decisions to improve the team’s overall performance.
Amidst this backdrop, recent reports suggest that Azam, who was relieved of his white-ball captaincy after the ICC World Cup 2023, is poised to reclaim the leadership.
Sources have also revealed that Azam could meet PCB officials to discuss the matter before leaving for the ongoing fitness camp in Kakul, Abbottabad.
Initially, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s captaincy was under scrutiny, with Mohammad Rizwan also considered a frontrunner for the position.
However, recent developments have shifted the focus back to Babar Azam, positioning him as the primary candidate for the captaincy once again.
The decision to reinstate Babar comes amidst the turbulent performance of T20I captain Shaheen Afridi. The star fast bowler led Pakistan on the New Zealand tour, losing 4-1, followed by a dismal performance of his Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 9.
However, Azam’s return to captaincy is not without its challenges. Sources suggest that the star batter harbours reservations stemming from the handling of his previous removal from the captaincy.
He seeks assurances from the board regarding certain matters and is hesitant to accept responsibility again without addressing his concerns.
The prolific right-hander will consider different aspects of the role before taking up the responsibility to lead the country again. However, there is a slim chance that he would deny the opportunity.
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