Babar Azam has returned to Pakistan‘s Check captaincy forward of the workforce’s essential excursions of the West Indies and England, changing Shan Masood after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opted for a management change. Whereas the choice sparked widespread dialogue, PCB director of excessive efficiency Aaqib Javed has now defined why the board reinstated Babar as captain of the longest format.
Right here’s why Babar Azam changed Shan Masood as Pakistan’s Check captain
Pakistan’s choice to deliver Babar again because the Check captain was pushed by issues over recurring management and game-management points slightly than the workforce’s particular person performances, in keeping with PCB director of excessive efficiency Javed. Talking on a latest podcast alongside former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Javed defined that the board needed a long-term answer after figuring out repeated tactical shortcomings throughout abroad assignments. He additionally confirmed that the PCB intends to offer Babar an prolonged run as captain as Pakistan put together for demanding Check sequence towards the West Indies and England.
Javed revealed that Pakistan’s incapacity to complete innings by dismissing opposition lower-order batters grew to become a serious concern for the administration. In keeping with him, the sample remained unchanged throughout a number of international locations regardless of totally different taking part in situations and bowling assaults, indicating that the issue went past the gamers on the sphere.
“We have now introduced Babar Azam again as a result of the identical issues stored recurring. Whether or not it was in Australia, South Africa, the West Indies or, most not too long ago, Bangladesh, the opposition’s tailenders continued to frustrate us. The situations and bowlers modified, however the end result remained the identical and that pointed in the direction of points in management and recreation administration,” Javed stated.
The previous Pakistan quick bowler pressured that the board was trying past short-term outcomes and needed a captain able to bringing consistency to the aspect over the following few years. He expressed confidence that Babar has developed right into a extra mature chief since his earlier stint as Check captain and believes the star batter can information Pakistan by an necessary section of red-ball cricket.
“I imagine Babar is mature sufficient to guide the workforce once more. He’s one in every of our key gamers and our plan is to offer him a two to three-year run as captain. Each captain brings a recent mindset and we count on him to encourage the workforce by his personal performances,” Javed added.
The PCB not too long ago confirmed Babar’s return as Pakistan’s Check skipper, marking his comeback to the position after beforehand main the nationwide aspect between 2020 and 2023.
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Masood’s tenure ends after troublesome run
Babar replaces Masood, whose stint as Pakistan’s Check captain lasted 16 matches. Throughout that interval, Pakistan managed simply 4 victories whereas struggling 12 defeats, leading to a win proportion of 25. Masood’s captaincy started with a difficult tour of Australia, the place Pakistan had been swept 3-0. Though he guided the workforce to a notable 2-1 dwelling Check sequence victory over England in 2024, inconsistent performances continued to overshadow that success.
The ultimate chapter of his management got here with a disappointing 2-0 dwelling sequence defeat towards Bangladesh in Could, a outcome that intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s path within the longest format. With Babar again on the helm, the PCB hopes the workforce can rediscover stability forward of a busy worldwide calendar.
Pakistan are scheduled to go away for the West Indies on July 13 earlier than taking part in a four-day warm-up match from July 18. They are going to then contest a two-Check sequence in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25-29 and August 2-6.
Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will head to England for a three-match Check sequence. The primary Check can be performed at Headingley from August 19-23, adopted by matches at Lord’s (August 27-31) and Edgbaston (September 9-13), the place Babar may have an instantaneous alternative to justify the PCB’s renewed religion in his management.
Additionally READ: Misbah-ul-Haq explains why Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were dropped from Pakistan’s Test squad
