Once a superstar of Pakistan cricket, Babar Azam has recently faced heavy criticism due to poor performances both as a batsman and captain. His troubles began last year when Pakistan exited the ODI World Cup in India before the semifinals.
Although Babar was their top batsman, he failed to deliver, leading to the team’s disappointing performance. Overwhelmed by the pressure, Babar stepped down as captain following the World Cup debacle. Babar’s and Pakistan’s fortunes did not improve, as the team was eliminated from the T20 World Cup at the group stage.
Babar again faced backlash from fans and experts for his poor form. He wouldn’t have led Pakistan in the tournament if not for the sudden removal of Shaheen Afridi after just one series as captain, which put Babar back in charge.
Babar Azam struggling against Naseem Shah's younger brother Ubaid Shah in the nets 🇵🇰🤯pic.twitter.com/0HvMlHbQ06
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 17, 2024
This frequent leadership change destabilized the team, and the PCB could have supported Afridi, who had a strong record as a captain in PSL. However, Babar also bears responsibility for accepting the captaincy, which he could have declined. The leadership turmoil reportedly created a tense atmosphere in the dressing room, with rumors of player rifts. Babar’s future as captain remains uncertain, as the PCB will consult with former cricketers to make a decision. With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching next year, the board wants to avoid any risks.
However, Babar Azam’s batting capabilities remain crucial. Although his confidence seems shaken during his current slump, as seen in a viral video of him struggling against Naseem Shah’s younger brother in practice, he is still Pakistan’s best batsman. Pakistan has a two-match Test series against Bangladesh in August, and they hope Babar can regain his form before then.