While Babar Azam has no plans to relinquish the captain’s armband, former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has revealed his choice for the all-format captain’s successor. Led by star batsman Babar, former world champions Pakistan suffered a 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand in their backyard. Before Pakistan’s defeat to New Zealand in ODIs, Babar and Co. outplayed by England in the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship.
Former Pakistani cricketer Ali thinks Babar should step down as leader of the Green Army. Ali, who played 19 Tests and 50 One Day International (ODIs) for Pakistan, has claimed that Babar can shatter big records after stepping down from the leading role. Babar is reportedly facing the prospect of being replaced as Pakistan’s all-format captain after a terrible home season.
READ ALSO: ‘Kohli ki himmat hai vo 5 saal nikaal gaya. Rohit ki hapat dekho…’: Pakistani star’s explosive remark about India’s captain
“Babar Azam should retire from captaincy. If he leaves the captaincy, he will break and surpass all records set by greats in the game. His captaincy will affect his performance with the bat, and he needs to focus on his batter,” Ali told Cricket Pakistan.
The former cricketer believes star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi should stake his claim as the Pakistan side’s next captain in two of the purest formats. As for the shortest format, Ali claimed that all-rounder Shadab Khan should be the next Green Army captain.
“Shaheen Afridi should be Pakistan’s captain. Shaheen Afridi can lead Pakistan in ODI and Test cricket if he stays fit. Shadab Khan could be Pakistan’s choice as captain in T20I cricket,” Ali added. Babar guided Pakistan to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. The 28-year-old has played 47 Tests, 95 ODIs and 99 T20Is for Pakistan. Babar-led Pakistan will face New Zealand next in a five-match T20I series in April.
