Babar was re-appointed captain of Pakistan's T20I side after having given up the role following the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the interim, Shaheen Afridi had served as Pakistan's T20I captain for a very brief period.
However, Pakistan's early ouster from the T20 World Cup has once again raised doubts over Babar's future as Pakistan captain in the shortest format. Heads are expected to roll, and there's a decent possibility that Babar might be one of the players in trouble.
At the T20 World Cup, Babar made 122 runs from four innings at an average of 40.67, but only managed to score at a strike rate of 101.7. In fact, his overall strike rate in T20 World Cups is 111.4 after playing three editions.
Following a close shave against Ireland in their last game of the tournament, where Pakistan took 18.5 overs and lost seven wickets chasing a target of 107, Babar spoke on his captaincy future, saying that any decision to quit, if made, will be announced publicly.
"When I left captaincy, I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself," Babar said at the post-match press conference. "Then, when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all the things that happened here.
Michael Vaughan has questioned Babar Azam’s credentials as a T20 batter after Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 15, 2024
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“And if I have to leave the captaincy, this decision, I will tell you openly. I will not announce anything behind the scenes. Whatever happens, will happen in front of you. But for now, I have not thought about it. The decision is of the PCB"
Babar also emphasised on how the poor performance is down to the entire team not playing well and not on any individual or the captain.
"As I have said earlier, everyone is sad. As a team, we did not play. I told you that we did not lose this because of one person. We are losing as a team. I am not saying this because of one person. You are pointing out that because of the captain, I cannot play in every player's place.
"There are 11 players and each of them has a role. That's why they came here to play the World Cup. I think we as a team have not been able to apply, follow and finish things. We have to settle down and accept that we didn't play well as a team."
Before the game, Imad Wasim, who recently made a u-turn from retirement before being picked for the World Cup, had said that Pakistan need to "change their mindset" and "get rid of the fear of failure"if they are to improve as a white-ball team.
Irrespective of whether Babar will continue as captain or not, the next few days and weeks can see some turmoil in Pakistan cricket.
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