Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) underwent a major administrative overhaul in December 2022, with Najam Sethi taking charge as chairman of the managing committee, replacing Ramiz Raja.
Moreover, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi was named interim chief selector with fellow ex-cricketers Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum joining him in the committee.
While the interim selection committee only picked the squad for the home series against New Zealand, PCB chief Najam Sethi has now revealed that the Afridi-led panel wanted to strip Babar Azam from captaincy.
“We made an interim selection committee when we took charge. Before the selectors came on board, they told us that there will need to be some changes and Babar needs to be replaced as captain as well,” Sethi said while speaking on Cricket Baaz with Waheed Khan YouTube channel.
“However, as soon as they were appointed, they said there is no need to replace Babar. I told them that you are entitled to change your mind,” he added.
Sethi further said that Babar will continue to lead Pakistan as long as he keeps winning games for the country.
“As long as Babar is a successful batsman and a successful captain, he will remain captain. If you continue to lose series, people will start questioning your captaincy and other qualities,” he stated.
Last week, Najam Sethi posted a tweet to end the speculations regarding Babar Azam’s captaincy.
“Babar Azam came to see me today. I told him he will lead the ODI and T20I national team against New Zealand. And then @TheRealPCB announced the squads. So all those who were spreading fake fears are out of jobs today,” he tweeted.
The PCB chairman also revealed that he spoke to Mickey Arthur before announcing Babar Azam as captain for the upcoming New Zealand series.
“I asked Mickey, do you want one captain or two captains for New Zealand series. After consulting with him, we decided on having one captain for the white-ball format. I told him, when you will come, you can sit with Babar and then decide from there onwards,” Sethi said.
“PCB will sign one year contract initially and Arthur will be with Pakistan cricket team for Asia Cup and 2023 World Cup. I also took approval from Mickey regarding the appointment of some selectors, because it is already decided that Mickey and his team are coming, so why not take them on board informally before the contracts are signed,” he added.
