Babar Azam eyes full leadership return: Demands all-format captaincy guarantee
Babar Azam eyes full leadership return: Demands all-format captaincy guarantee
By Nawaz Gohar ; Significant claims have emerged regarding the potential return of former Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam to a leadership role. According to international media reports, the star batter has allegedly set a firm condition: he must be guaranteed the captaincy across all three formats in the future before accepting the mantle of Test captain.
Reports suggest that selectors have assured Azam that if the national team’s performance improves during the upcoming five Test matches against the West Indies and England, they will strongly consider reinstating him as the permanent all-format captain.
Sources indicate that two selectors met with Azam prior to the selection of the Test captain. The approach was made as the Pakistan team found itself with limited options following a series of disappointing results under the current leadership of Shan Masood.
The report further noted that Azam has always harbored a strong desire to lead Pakistan across all three formats and was entirely reluctant to accept solely the Test captaincy without broader assurances.
It is worth recalling that Azam stepped down as Pakistan’s all-format captain following the team’s exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the aftermath of his resignation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Shan Masood to lead the red-ball side and handed the limited-overs leadership to fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.
For his part, Azam has stated that he is prepared to take on the renewed responsibility. He emphasized that he has learned from past experiences and that his ultimate priority remains bringing further success to Pakistan cricket.
However, the PCB has yet to issue any official statement or confirmation regarding these ongoing rumors surrounding Azam’s captaincy demands.
