Speaking to A Sports on the best path forward for Pakistan, Malik responded to a question by saying: “I gave an opinion in the past as well that Babar Azam should leave captaincy. This is my personal opinion. Babar does not think outside the box as a captain. He is doing captaincy but the improvement is not coming. He can do wonders for Pakistan as a player.”

Malik suggested earlier this year that he thought Babar should return to a purely player role in the Pakistan side. Under Babar as captain, Pakistan have won 24 out of 37 ODIs between 2020 and 2023.

“There is some homework that I have done based on which Babar as a cricketer can deliver amazing performances for himself and the team,” continued Malik. “If any match of our team goes according to plan, the boys attack, but if something deviates from the plan, they don’t.”

Pakistan were bowled out for 191 by India, having collapsed from 155-2. They then fell victim to a hard-hitting half-century from Rohit Sharma, who blasted 86 off 63 balls including 12 boundaries.

Shreyas Iyer finished off the job with an unbeaten 50, partnering with KL Rahul to get India over the line. The result was Pakistan’s first loss in the 2023 competition, after they recorded the highest chase ever in men’s ODI World Cups in their second match against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan sit fourth in the table after 14 matches, and will play Australia next on Friday, October 20.

Malik was upbeat in his final assessment of how Babar and his side could recover from their disappointment against India. “The tournament is not over yet,” he said. “There are many matches left, keep yourself strong.”