Babar Azam might lose Pakistan Test captaincy in July; head coach Saqlain Mushtaq could leave after NZ series- Report

Ramiz Raja reportedly gave a tongue lashing to Babar, Saqlain and Wasim over England whitewash.

If reports are to be believed then many big changes are expected in the Pakistan team management after their humiliating 0-3 Test series whitewash at home against England recently.

One of the big changes expected is that head coach Saqlain Mushtaq could step down after the home series against New Zealand, beginning with the Test in Karachi on December 26. Also, Babar Azam’s Test captaincy tenure might come to an end in July.

A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told PTI that immediately after the Test ended in Karachi on Tuesday, Babar and Saqlain had flown to Lahore. There, Babar, Saqlain, and chief selector Mohammad Wasim briefed Ramiz Raja on why Pakistan had lost the Test series 3-0.

“A high-level meeting was held in the office of the PCB chairman Ramiz Raja at the Gaddafi Stadium in which chief selector, Mohammad Wasim also participated. Every aspect of the team, selection matters, the captaincy and Saqlain’s role were discussed threadbare in the nearly three-hour-long meeting,” the source said.

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The source also said that the Pakistan squad announcement for New Zealand Tests was delayed to Wednesday on Raja’s instructions.

The source also revealed that Raja was furious about the Pakistan team’s performance and he gave a tongue-lashing to Babar, Saqlain, and Wasim and made it clear he was unhappy with the team selection in the series.

“Babar told the chairman that the injury issues with the three main fast bowlers, Shaheen (Afridi), Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, had hit their plans hard and weakened the bowling considerably, allowing England batters to score freely,” the source said.  

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Furthermore, Babar told Raja that Pakistan didn’t have the experience and quality players required to take on teams like Australia, England, and New Zealand.

On the other hand, Saqlain confirmed to Raja that as previously decided, he will leave his head coach’s position after the New Zealand series in January and the PCB should start looking for a new coach.

The board also felt that Babar Azam should stick to batting and scoring runs for Pakistan in Tests and captaining the white-ball sides. The captaincy of the Test team is expected to be given to someone else, with Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood being the top contenders.

“A lot of discussion has been held on Babar’s future as Test captain and it was decided to maintain status quo for now. But what is decided is that, in July Babar will be changed as Test captain,” the source said.

(PTI inputs)