Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, is contemplating stepping down from his position as the leader of the white-ball squad following their disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The team’s low likelihood of securing a top-four finish, attributed to their inferior net run rate compared to New Zealand, has prompted this potential decision.
Criticism of Babar’s leadership, which appears to have impacted his batting, has surfaced among fans and pundits recently. Pakistan’s failure to reach the final of the 2023 Asia Cup has added to the scrutiny, leading to several impending decisions ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Reportedly, Babar Azam has sought counsel from former Pakistan player and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, engaging in discussions after the team’s training session at Eden Gardens before their last group-stage match against England.
Babar intends to consider his father’s perspective on this matter, with further discussions expected once he returns home after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Initially planning to decide during the tournament in India, he has now chosen to reach a conclusion upon returning home.
Despite Babar’s assertion in a pre-match press conference that his captaincy hasn’t affected his batting, the decision weighs heavily on him, considering his two-year tenure handling the pressures that accompany the role.
While Pakistan technically remains in contention in the World Cup, their chances hinge on an improbable scenario where they would need to defeat England by 287 runs if they bat first. In a chase, the required run rate is deemed practically unattainable within the stipulated time frame based on calculations.