(Source X)
Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik recently addressed the challenges faced by Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Babar Azam, in international cricket. Malik also suggested that an experienced opener could potentially step into the role of leading Pakistan’s national cricket team in white-ball formats.
Earlier this year, Babar Azam resumed his duties as captain in white-ball cricket after relinquishing the position following the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, his return saw limited success, notably against a second-string New Zealand side where Pakistan managed a 2-2 draw in the five-match T20I series at home.
Pakistan’s struggles persisted in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, under Babar Azam’s leadership. The team faced early elimination from the tournament for the first time since 2016, following defeats to the United States of America and India in their initial matches, failing to secure a top-two finish in their group.
Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Shoaib Malik shared his backing for Babar Azam, acknowledging the inevitable highs and lows of a cricketer’s journey. Malik stressed that Babar is currently navigating a challenging phase but affirmed his belief that better times lie ahead for the talented batsman.
“Ups and downs are a part of life, especially when you are a cricketer from the subcontinent. He needs to stay strong during this time. I know he has a personality that embraces challenges; right now, it’s a downtime, but good times will come too,” Malik said.
The 42-year-old cricketer emphasized that he maintains a strong bond with Babar Azam despite recent challenges. Malik mentioned that they stay in regular communication, ensuring there’s always an open line between them.
“It’s not that he is far from me; that’s definitely not the case. Whenever he needs to talk or I need to talk, we do,” he added.
Shoaib Malik advised Babar Azam to step down from captaincy, suggesting that focusing entirely on his batting could enhance his performance. The veteran cricketer endorsed Fakhar Zaman as a promising candidate for Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy, lauding Fakhar’s bold style of play and leadership qualities.
“As for his captaincy, my firm stance is that he should play only as a player. That’s my opinion. When he plays as a player, he can do wonders for the team. But in my opinion, he should stay away from leadership,” Malik further added.
“According to today’s fearless cricket, Fakhar Zaman should be considered for white ball captaincy because he has the sense and leadership capacity for it,” he concluded.
Despite Pakistan’s recent challenges, Babar Azam boasts an impressive captaincy record. The 29-year-old batsman has led Pakistan to 84 victories in 134 matches across formats, establishing himself as the second most successful captain for Pakistan, following in the footsteps of Imran Khan. Under his leadership, Babar has also amassed 6739 runs at an impressive average of 47.12, showcasing his prowess as both a batsman and a leader for his national team.
