Babar Azam ought to give up Pakistan T20I captaincy, give attention to longer codecs: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi mentioned Babar Azam ought to step down as captain from T20Is and give attention to batting and main the facet within the longer codecs of the sport. Babar’s captaincy was criticised in the course of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 17, 2022 18:37 IST

Should Babar Azam hand over Pakistan captaincy in T20Is? (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has urged Babar Azam to surrender T20I captaincy and give attention to main the facet within the longer codecs of the sport, together with ODIs and Tests. Afridi mentioned he respects Babar quite a bit and that’s the reason he does not need the highly-rated batter to shoulder the duty of captaincy throughout all 3 codecs, particularly contemplating the fickle nature of T20I cricket.

Shahid Afridi additionally mentioned Babar Azam ought to chorus from taking on captaincy at Peshawar Zalmi within the upcoming version of the Pakistan Super League. Notably, Babar ended his tenure with Karachi Kings and signed up with Zalmi for the upcoming season of the PSL, scheduled to get underway in March 2023.

Babar, 28, has been one of many main batters in world cricket. The Pakistan captain is the one participant to be rated in high 3 throughout all codecs of the sport however his exhibiting within the T20 World Cup 2022 raised considerations. Babar managed 124 runs in 7 matches at a strike price of simply 93, resulting in questions on his place on the high of the batting order for Pakistan in T20I cricket.

“Babar was not happy with the management at Karachi Kings as it is. I feel he should take a tough call and quit captaincy in T20 cricket. He should focus on his batting and lead the team in Tests and one-dayers,” Afridi mentioned in an interview with Sama TV.

Afridi mentioned the likes of Shadab Khan, who’s already the vice-captain of the crew, or the likes of Mohammad Rizwan or Shan Masood can take up captaincy in T20I cricket and ease the burden of Babar within the shortest format of the sport.

“I respect Babar a lot and that’s why I don’t want him to take the pressure of captaincy in T20 cricket. I want him to focus on his captaincy in longer formats. You do have players like Shadab, Rizwan and even Shan Masood who can lead the team in the T20 format,” Afridi added.

Babar’s captaincy was criticised in the course of the T20 World Cup as he struggled to get going on the high. Questions have been requested about his obvious reluctance to surrender the opening spot and bat at No. 3.

Former quick bowler Wasim Akram recalled that Babar had declined when he requested the star batter to bat at No. 3 for Karachi Kings within the IPL.

Pakistan reached the ultimate of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia however they have been comprehensively outplayed by England, who wanted solely 139 to chase within the large ultimate in Melbourne.

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Nov 17, 2022