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Sports

Babar Azam likely to lose white-ball captaincy, may continue to lead in Tests

By News Desk November 11, 2023 · 9:02 pm PKT · 2 min read

After a disappointing showing at the 2023 World Cup, maintaining their leadership positions has become a challenge for Babar Azam and the team management, which includes coach Grant Bradburn and team manager Mickey Arthur.

According to sources, discussions within the board on this issue started before the match against England. The chance of Babar Azam continuing as captain in white-ball cricket seems slim. However, some quarters have suggested to the Chairman of the Committee of Management Zack Ashraf that Babar should continue as captain during the Test series against Australia. A decision on this matter is expected in the coming days. There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting that Babar Azam may consider stepping down as captain.

At the same time, the board is considering a shift towards appointing local coaches instead of relying on outsiders. Contacts have been made with former cricketers in this regard. In contrast, revelations have surfaced about the Pakistan team’s underperformance in India. Sources say that former chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam favored their preferred players, disregarding the opinions of others. The Cricket Committee, headed by Misbah ul Haq, had recommended resting Shadab Khan, but Babar Azam insisted on keeping him as vice-captain. In a meeting to review the team’s performance in the Asia Cup, Inzamam refrained from attending to avoid criticism from Mohammad Hafeez and Misbah-ul-Haq.

Further details reveal that Inzamam also intervened in the squad selection when he arrived in India, pushing for the inclusion of his nephew, Imam-ul-Haq, leading to the benching of Fakhar Zaman. Babar Azam also allegedly ignored the views of board executives on several occasions. Before heading to India, the players were mainly focused on increasing the remuneration in central contracts and claiming a share of the ICC’s revenue. An unnamed board official expressed the feeling that players may be blackmailing the board.

Additional sources reveal that three to four players from the playing XI harbored a grudge against Captain Babar Azam. It was believed that during the central contract negotiations, Babar favored an increase in his and a select few’s pay, adversely affecting the overall environment of the team.