Former Pakistan cricketer wants Babar Azam to relinquish white-ball captaincy

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali sparked a debate with his remarks about Babar Azam’s performance with the bat, suggesting the latter to step down as white-ball captain to excel as a player.

Babar has been far from his bat in international cricket as the right-handed batter last scored a century in 2023 which came against Nepal during the Asia Cup.

Basit Ali termed the upcoming two-match home series against Bangladesh a pivotal opportunity for Babar Azam to prove his mettle.

He, however, suggested Babar relinquish the national men’s team’s captaincy to focus more on his batting.

“Babar Azam has made the last century against Nepal in the Asia Cup. It is a great chance for him to prove himself. To come back in the Test Rankings,” said Basit.

“And he is not the captain. It is a very good thing. And he should quit the white-ball captaincy as well. He should focus on his batting. He is a premium batsman of Pakistan. So, he should perform well,” he added.

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Basit Ali then went on to advise the current national Test team captain Shan Masood, urging him to make bold decisions and prioritize team over individual preferences.

“In the last 2-3 years, we have played a lot of talkative cricket. We will win the World Cup. We will win the Asia Cup. We will play in the finals in India. It was all talkative cricket. Now, it is time to deliver. Shan Masood becomes the Test captain again after the Australia series, so he will now have to make his own decisions,” he said.

“He should not think like that if he is a premium batter or a premium bowler, then I will give him a soft corner. No. He must take decisions that are good for Pakistan. Not out of fear. Out of bravery. Then the cricket will look good, and they will perform better.”

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