Babar Azam’s captaincy has come under the scanner after Pakistan’s embarrassing eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in Match 22 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at Chepauk on Monday (October 23).
The loss has put Pakistan on the brink of elimination from the quadrennial event. They have to win the remaining four games and hope that other results go their way to reach the semi-final.
Amid the debacle, a report published in PTI claimed that Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are being discussed as potential candidates who could replace Babar as captain when the team returns home from the World Cup.
According to the report, there is a consensus developing in the PCB that Babar has had his fair share of opportunity and he failed to deliver as captain.
"Only if Pakistan can stage a miracle and win all their remaining matches to qualify for the semi-finals of this World Cup does Babar stand any chance of surviving as captain and even then he might be relegated to skipper in just the red ball format," one reliable source close to the developments quoted as saying by PTI.
The source further said that Babar might step down as captain if the team returns home without playing in the World Cup semifinals.
"It is over for Babar because he has been given unbridled power and authority as captain and more importantly he has always had players of his choice in the team.
"There has never been any attempt to reduce his authority and so he is now being held solely responsible for the Asia Cup and World Cup defeats," the source added.
Despite suggestions from former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez to make some changes to the World Cup squad, Babar had got all the 18 players he asked for.
"The PCB Chairman, Zaka Ashraf ignored the advice of Misbah and Hafeez and some other former players whom he consulted as Babar was adamant he didn't want changes in the team for the World Cup," the source said.
The lobbies for the possible candidates including Sarfaraz, Shaheen, Rizwan and Shan Masood have reportedly started their work to get their candidate selected as captain, with the PCB likely to name different captains for the red and white ball formats.
"Sarfaraz might win the nod to captain the Test and ODI sides again while Shaheen may get a chance to be the T20 captain," the source added.
The source also revealed that the support staff of Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, Mornie Merkel, Andrew Puttick and manager Rehan ul Haq will be asked to step down as well following the World Cup.
"There are very bright chances that Pakistan will have a new coaching staff and captain when they embark on the Test tour of Australia and for the white ball series in New Zealand after the WC," the source said.
Pakistan are due to tour Australia straight away after the World Cup. They have to plan for the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy as well.
(With PTI Inputs)
