Babar Azam will now only play as a player for Pakistan; he will not lead the team against Australia in the first Test after a lengthy absence.
Wasim Akram of Pakistan recounted a recent conversation he had with Babar Azam, the former captain of the Green Army following the World Cup. After an unsuccessful World Cup campaign in India, Babar made the decision to resign from all leadership positions. Babar, the 1992 World Cup winner, struggled in India when the Green Army was unable to advance to the championship round of the competition. The renowned cricketer Wasim Akram, who resigned as captain of Pakistan following the 2023 World Cup, has shared some insightful counsel for the forthcoming Australia series, especially for the maligned batsmen.
Pakistan finished outside the top four after 50 overs in the World Cup, losing for the second time in a row. In nine matches, Pakistan scored nine points under Babar’s direction. During the India World Cup, Babar and his team won four matches but lost five against the previous champions. The former captain of Pakistan, Babar, scored 320 runs in 9 matches with an average of 40.00 during the World Cup. In the ICC event, he also scored two half-centuries for Pakistan.
Following the ODI World Cup, Babar rejoined the Pakistan squad as an all-around batsman. In addition to leading Pakistan’s batting in all formats, this elite cricketer is gearing up to take the helm of Peshawar Zalmi in the next Pakistan Super League (PSL). Fast bowling legend Akram counseled Babar against leading the PSL team in the Twenty20 tournament in a conversation with Sportskida following the World Cup 2023.
Pakistan’s first Test match against Australia on Wednesday will mark the beginning of a new era under new captain Shan Masood. Several changes have already been made to the team for the first Test under Shan Masood’s captaincy, including the addition of right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad and Harfan Maula Aamir Jamal. Only as a player will Babar Azam, the former captain, be viewed. There were hints that Babar Azam might lose his captaincy following Pakistan’s dismal showing in the ODI World Cup 2023.
Several experts think that batsman Babar Azam may benefit from this, which did occur.
Babar became the Shaheen T20I team’s captain after he resigned. The Test captain is now Shan Masood. In addition to his appointment as coach for the Australia tour, Mohammad Hafeez is now the director of cricket. Chief selector Wahab Riaz is in charge. They recently stopped actively playing, so it’s kind of a good thing. They will bring fresh perspectives and a different energy, Wasim Akram told Sportskida.
Now the world will see the real Babar Azam, stated Gautam Gambhir, “because of captaincy, there was a lot of pressure on Babar Azam.” Because of his captaincy, Babar was under pressure during the World Cup, but now everyone will see his real self. He is an excellent athlete. Gambitr Gautam Gambhir said.
What counsel did Waseem Akram offer Babar Azam?
Don’t captain in league cricket, I advised Babar Azam a few years ago. Large participants, collect your money, play your part, score runs, leave, and then participate in the following event, said Waseem Akram.
Subsequently, Gautam Gambhir declared, “Babar Azam does not require any proof.” To be honest, he won’t get anything from winning the PSL. He ought to go there and try to improve as a batsman.
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, who played well in the just-ended ODI World Cup, will continue to open for Pakistan in the opening Test matchup against Australia.
The number four spot will remain occupied by former captain Babar Azam, while Salman Ali Agha will take up the spin duties in Abrar Ahmed’s absence. In lieu of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi will spearhead the pace attack, aided by Faheem Ashraf.
