Pace legend Wasim Akram believes Babar Azam should take over as Pakistan's Test captain from the tour of New Zealand coming up. The right-hand batsman, Wasim feels, is a keen learner of the game and will serve his country well as leader in the game's toughest format.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to replace Azhar Ali after only a year into his term and appoint a new skipper on Wednesday (November 11).
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Keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic and the bio-secure regulations, the selectors will confirm an extended touring party to face the Kiwis in two Tests and three T20Is. Azhar, though no longer at the helm, is set to continue as a specialist batsman.
"You ask me as a former player, yes, I back Babar to become Test captain because he is our future and he can continue for a long time," said Wasim on YouTube channel 'Cricket Baaz'.
"If the PCB appoint him, they should do so for a proper time so that at least there is no confusion as to who is in charge in the dressing room," he added.
Babar, easily Pakistan's best all-format batsman at the moment, has also been their captain in the white-ball versions since the last winter when a split captaincy model, also involving Azhar, was adopted upon Sarfaraz Ahmed's sacking.
Wasim stressed he doesn't think extra responsibility will weigh down the youngster, citing examples of Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson.
"I back Babar because I don't want to see those days when I was playing and there were around four to five captains in our dressing room."
"He is our best player and people who say that making him Test captain will affect his batting, don't buy that because he is a batsman and it is his job to score runs. Aren't Virat Kohli or Kane Williamson also captains and top batsmen," he said.
Wasim also opined over head coach Misbah Ul Haq relinquishing the chief selector post, apart from urging Babar, if he indeed takes over as Test captain, to assert more control in the decision-making.
"At times, I get the feeling they are still stuck in the 90s mindset. I get the feeling, at times, some are only playing for their runs. This doesn't work anymore and you just need to look at other teams to realise this," he said, questioning the approach of the side since Misbah has come in.
"He (Babar) has to get rid of this feeling in the social media that it is Misbah who is taking all the decisions behind the scenes. I see Babar as the best choice because I am optimistic that in time he will learn a lot, he is a good learner, he will improve and he will become a good captain and leader and we should have stability in captaincy when the 2023 World Cup is held."
"Even when I came into cricket I took years to change my personality and groom myself. Babar will also groom himself."
Sticking to the personality traits, Wasim said it isn't at all necessary for Babar to speak in English, adding that with time he'll start expressing himself better and interact more confidently with the media.
"There is no shame if he converses in Urdu, he should be good at conversing in Urdu," he said. "I have always supported the policy of having someone young as captain because it ensures he will serve for at least five to six years' time."
"When South Africa appointed Graeme Smith as captain after the 2003 World Cup he was, I think, only 22 and look where he went."
The name of wicketkeeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan has been doing the rounds to become the captain or the vice-captain of the side. But for Wasim, it's too early to think along those lines for a cricketer who is still finding his feet.
"Look how many matches has he played?" he asked. "I know he will be upset with me for saying this but he has to first establish himself in the team to be considered as a candidate."
Lastly, Wasim spoke of his role in the PCB cricket committee, saying it served no purpose being there without any meetings.
"First of all, talking about cricket committee, we haven't had a meeting for a long time now except for a brief meeting before COVID-19. No one has called or invited us. There is no use of it. I don't know why I am there because there is no point in me being there because nothing is happening," he said.
(Inputs from PTI)
