Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan’s men’s cricket team, is one of the best batters in the world today. The 28-year-old right-handed batter scores big runs on a consistent basis in all three formats of the game. For his spectacular show with the bat in 2022, he also won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award. In 2022, he led the Men in Green to the finals of the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, but they failed to bag the title on both occasions. Despite his superb show with the bat and leading Pakistan to the final of major tournaments, Babar is facing a lot of criticism from fans and former greats, and the reason for it is the poor form of Pakistan in bilateral series, especially in the matches played at home.
Since the start of 2022, Pakistan has played host to Australia, England, and New Zealand, but has only managed to win one three-match ODI series against Australia, and in return has lost Test and T20I series against the Aussies and England (a 3-0 whitewash in Tests) and an ODI series against New Zealand. Due to the team’s poor performance at home, there have been calls to remove Babar from the leadership role in at least one format.
Star pacer Shaheen Afridi, who led Lahore Qalandars to the Pakistan Super League title last year, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are said to be among the favourites to take over the job if it becomes available, along with Shan Masood, who was the vice-captain of the team in last month’s ODI series against New Zealand. But according to the team’s star pacer, Hasan Ali, 24-year-old all-rounder Shadab Khan is “ready” to replace Babar as Pakistan captain.
“He is ready (for the Pakistani captaincy). He has proved himself as a captain in the PSL. I think he has also led Pakistan in two matches, so I think he is ready. He is always ready for any challenge and gives his best,” Hasan said when asked to share his thoughts on Shadab as the next Pakistan captain.
Shadab has been the vice captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team for quite some time now and has been an integral member of the white-ball team. He finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker for Men in Green in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last year.
