Reinstating Babar Azam as the white-ball captain could backfire?

[Cricket Warrior]

The way Babar Azam was removed from captaincy and Shaheen Shah Afridi was made captain now reinstating him as the white-ball captain might not benefit the team at all. It could lead to internal conflicts within the team.

Many players might feel that Shaheen was treated unfairly and will start supporting him while others will continue to support Babar Azam.

Do you think we are returning to an era where there are conspiracies within the team?

I believe this move of making Babar captain again will backfire. What do you guys think?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Another Hardik Pandya type situation could happen to Babar if he fails to perform again in the WC.

 

[topspin]

As I've said a number of times, his selfishness has already been exposed by Imad, Wasim Akram and Simon Doull. The only winners here are those who wish to see the downfall of Pakistan cricket. Amir, Imad and Shaheen shouldn't play under Babar, as a matter of principle, since he has nothing but disregard when it comes to serving the best interests of the Pakistan cricket team.

 

[mominsaigol]

As I've said a number of times, his selfishness has already been exposed by Imad, Wasim Akram and Simon Doull. The only winners here are those who wish to see the downfall of Pakistan cricket. Amir, Imad and Shaheen shouldn't play under Babar, as a matter of principle, since he has nothing but disregard when it comes to serving the best interests of the Pakistan cricket team.

I discussed this previously with deadly Venom.

The problem is the PCB board is corrupt and is not like ECB.

In ecb someone like Ben Stokes can retire to focus on franchise and play for leagues and take retirements back, its a flexible system that respects players.

Their is no shame in wanting more money and rest to provide for your family.

PCB is braindead. They don't like letting their players freely play leagues and give them the option as itll reduce their control, haris recieved such an unfair treatment lol. It's why asad t advised usman Khan to leave for UAE, In uae he'll not only be a star bat, he'll be able to play leagues all around the world , whereas pcb is guarantee going to ruin him.

Leaving for imad amd Amir is easy due to their UK connections, Shaheen not so much.

 

[hassan918]

It is not 100% certain, who made the final call on this. For most cricket experts and fans, Mohammad Rizwan was the best choice at the moment to lead the Pakistan national team but PCB opted go back to Babar Azam, not sure if it is the best decision by PCB.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

PCT will rue this decision.

 

[Mamoon]

As I've said a number of times, his selfishness has already been exposed by Imad, Wasim Akram and Simon Doull. The only winners here are those who wish to see the downfall of Pakistan cricket. Amir, Imad and Shaheen shouldn't play under Babar, as a matter of principle, since he has nothing but disregard when it comes to serving the best interests of the Pakistan cricket team.

Imad = a nothing cricketer who is only relevant because of his beef with Babar. No one would care about him.

Doull = another nothing cricketer who is best remembered for his biased commentary

Wasim = a former Pakistan legend who should have received a lifetime ban for match-fixing and who doesn't have the guts to coach the national team, restricting himself to ceremonial positions in PSL and easy money on TV.

So if I were Babar, I couldn't care less if I was "exposed" by people like Imad, Doull and Wasim.

 

[topspin]

Imad = a nothing cricketer who is only relevant because of his beef with Babar. No one would care about him.

Doull = another nothing cricketer who is best remembered for his biased commentary

Wasim = a former Pakistan legend who should have received a lifetime ban for match-fixing and who doesn't have the guts to coach the national team, restricting himself to ceremonial positions in PSL and easy money on TV.

So if I were Babar, I couldn't care less if I was "exposed" by people like Imad, Doull and Wasim.

But you would care if it was Javed Afridi right?

 

[Mamoon]

But you would care if it was Javed Afridi right?

Javed Afridi is no longer interested in Pakistan cricket anymore because PCB has not pushed enough to host matches in Peshawar.

I don’t blame PCB entirely because Peshawar, albeit as safe as any Pakistani city now, has a bad rep because of its proximity with Afghanistan.

You won’t even see him attending matches anymore.

 

[daytrader]

As I've said a number of times, his selfishness has already been exposed by Imad, Wasim Akram and Simon Doull. The only winners here are those who wish to see the downfall of Pakistan cricket. Amir, Imad and Shaheen shouldn't play under Babar, as a matter of principle, since he has nothing but disregard when it comes to serving the best interests of the Pakistan cricket team.

All 3 of your heroes who you need to validate your claims have been exposed. Imad has back tracked because he's now willing to play under Babar. If it was a matter of principle, he wouldn't come running back.

Doull is a no name and the only reason he was commentating in the PSL is we need foreigners to be involved. Again he gained most out of this relationship because he's gained new fans in Pakistan.

Wasim the less said the better. His double standards are known. One day he will criticize the next he will praise. Depends on his blood sugar level

 

[Suleiman]

He will be thrown out of the team by force if he flops again. This is his last chance.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Pretty senseless decision after knowing that he is a poor and timid captain and can't think out of the box.

 

[Mockingbird]

Don’t understand how PCB could have sacked Shaheen after only 1 series as white ball captain and re-instated Babar after his 4 years of horrible captaincy. If they wanted to sack Shaheen, Rizwan could have been a logical choice, but going back to Babar?

Shaheen will never forget this. PCB has now sowed mistrust in the team right before a major tournament.

 

[kingusama92]

They have made a blind decision without any idea of the repercussions.

How will Shaheen feel? How will the other players feel? Is Babar going to handle captaincy well or go on a power trip? Will Babar's form fall apart again with this unnecessary stress from the fans and media?

On top of that, Babar is a tactically rubbish captain (on the best of days) so the chances of him doing well are even lower. In a volatile setting, this man will fall apart or become even more political.

Let's assume a person believes Babar is the best captain ever, there is no reason to support a silly decision like this. Pakistani cricketers are immature and this is more than enough to ruin the team's chemistry along with their WC chances.

 

[mominsaigol]

Don’t understand how PCB could have sacked Shaheen after only 1 series as white ball captain and re-instated Babar after his 4 years of horrible captaincy. If they wanted to sack Shaheen, Rizwan could have been a logical choice, but going back to Babar?

Shaheen will never forget this. PCB has now sowed mistrust in the team right before a major tournament.

Keep spreading the truth brother

 

[BouncerGuy]

Babar cannot make the same mistakes that he made during his 1st stint as captain. Either he proves his captaincy decision right or he should not stay captain and take this extra burden of captaincy after the T20 World Cup, Max.

 

[mominsaigol]

Babar cannot make the same mistakes that he made during his 1st stint as captain. Either he proves his captaincy decision right or he should not stay captain and take this extra burden of captaincy after the T20 World Cup, Max.

Mate, I feel you, i really do, you're a genuine Pakistani fan, who cares about the team.

But if a person is willing to take over captaincy and shove someone else aside for his own personal gain and didn't bother showing any improvements in the PSL as a captain, your words and hope would be wishful thinking.

Babar ruined his rep when he became captain, he could have just stayed a player and their wouldn't be any heat on him.

 

[BouncerGuy]

shove someone else aside for his own personal gain and didn't bother showing any improvements in the PSL as a captain, your words and hope would be wishful thinking.

This is all your personal thought that he shoved somebody for his personal gain. We cannot say that he did fr personal gains or not. I don't think babar has not improved. He has improved and I hoping for something good out of him this time.

 

[mominsaigol]

This is all your personal thought that he shoved somebody for his personal gain. We cannot say that he did fr personal gains or not. I don't think babar has not improved. He has improved and I hoping for something good out of him this time.

It's a deduction based of evidence presented. No one will ever have all the facts.

Regardless, I'm preparing you for a heartbreaks that's all. 2024 tournament adding super 8 stage means kudrat ki nizam is unlikely, unless maybe rain and drs comes to play.

But no more relying on other teams to help, we'll escape group stages, but won't get past super 8.

 

[Rana]

Babar cannot make the same mistakes that he made during his 1st stint as captain. Either he proves his captaincy decision right or he should not stay captain and take this extra burden of captaincy after the T20 World Cup, Max.

Babar and Rizwan played against Afghanistan when the whole world was watching in the 2023 World Cup

That was the actual, ULTIMATE humiliation. Not the one where you lost with a newbie squad

 

[BouncerGuy]

Babar and Rizwan played against Afghanistan when the whole world was watching in the 2023 World Cup

That was the actual, ULTIMATE humiliation. Not the one where you lost with a newbie squad

Blaming Babar and Riz for every defeat won't work brother. Accept the reality that when they were rested, Pakistan lost badly.

 

[Rana]

Blaming Babar and Riz for every defeat won't work brother. Accept the reality that when they were rested, Pakistan lost badly.

When are they ever rested though? 2-3 games out of 200?

 

[BouncerGuy]

When are they ever rested though? 2-3 games out of 200?

and look what happened. Lost the series for the first time ever.

 

[Rana]

and look what happened. Lost the series for the first time ever.

You drew the series with a full strength side against NZ’s IPL rejects at home. What does that say with those two in the squad?

 

[BouncerGuy]

You drew the series with a full strength side against NZ’s IPL rejects at home. What does that say with those two in the squad?

Your post has the answer to your question. DREW. what is the worst thing to happen? losing a series to Afghanistan or draw against NZ?

 

[Rana]

Your post has the answer to your question. DREW. what is the worst thing to happen? losing a series to Afghanistan or draw against NZ?

I would rather lose 2-1 to a full strength Afghanistan side with a junior squad in order to develop them for international cricket

Than draw against a reject NZ side with my full squad. This draw is the bigger embarrassment, that too at Home.

I don’t know what part of the world you are from, but here in England, we believe in growth and development. We believe in letting our youth have the opportunity to grow and learn.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I would rather lose 2-1 to a full strength Afghanistan side with a junior squad in order to develop them for international cricket

Than draw against a reject NZ side with my full squad. This draw is the bigger embarrassment, that too at Home.

I don’t know what part of the world you are from, but here in England, we believe in growth and development. We believe in letting our youth have the opportunity to grow and learn.

babar has been carrying this batting line for so long that I don't even remember since when. I cannot blame him from few losses. He is not a one-man army here. whole team, 10 other guys in the teams should be blamed as well.

 

[mominsaigol]

and look what happened. Lost the series for the first time ever.

We lost 2-1 agreed.

But if we faced 2023 Afghanistan, we'd lose 5-0 at full strength.

Babar and rizwan aren't the oxygens of the team. Tbf babar is fine as an odi no 3.

On paper developing saim as an opener ( He was In the squad) makes more sense then babar and rizwan. If saim is developed, then he'll be thenppener we need toncaptikise the powerplay something rizzu and Babar can't do.

Saim was the reason we won that one game against them. If that series didn't happen we wouldn't have found saim, the same way if NZ didn't send their c team to get beaten by us, they wouldn't have discovered Mitchell and chapman being solid options in their squad.

 

[Rana]

I remember during my stay in Surrey during my studies,

I once played a first XI club, T20 cup game against a local village club XI, our team was stacked with some solid, seasoned cricketers 1-11. Proper players, some were charging a good premium for their services on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.

The team we played against had an average age of maybe 18. They might have had 2-3 guys that were 20 or 21…but the entire team were 6 formers or first year Uni.




They absolute MAULED us to the ground that day. After the game we all chilled and socialised. We learned from their players and coach that the T20 team of the club is solely this youth, and this is their platform to grow and learn. 6 or 7 of them were also playing in their First XI on Saturday’s, and the rest where playing in the 2s because their 1s were also a very strong unit.

That’s cricket, growth. That’s enabling growth.

 

[BouncerGuy]

We lost 2-1 agreed.

But if we faced 2023 Afghanistan, we'd lose 5-0 at full strength.

Babar and rizwan aren't the oxygens of the team. Tbf babar is fine as an odi no 3.

On paper developing saim as an opener ( He was In the squad) makes more sense then babar and rizwan. If saim is developed, then he'll be thenppener we need toncaptikise the powerplay something rizzu and Babar can't do.

Saim was the reason we won that one game against them. If that series didn't happen we wouldn't have found saim, the same way if NZ didn't send their c team to get beaten by us, they wouldn't have discovered Mitchell and chapman being solid options in their squad.

If Babar drops saim for himself to open with Rizwan, you will find me bashing Babar for that blunder. But babar is clever enough to not let saim play down the order. It is time for riz to sacrifice his place for the best pair of the PSL (BABAR/SAIM) to open.

 

[mominsaigol]

If Babar drops saim for himself to open with Rizwan, you will find me bashing Babar for that blunder. But babar is clever enough to not let saim play down the order. It is time for riz to sacrifice his place for the best pair of the PSL (BABAR/SAIM) to open.

We shall see what he'll do. But babar brining himself to open is obviously another telltale sign that he's selfish and doesn't play for his team.

He was chosen to bat at no 3 in all formats. That should have been in his position. Him deciding to open is because he wants personal milestones, easiest place to do that in t20 is opening.

 

[BouncerGuy]

We shall see what he'll do. But babar brining himself to open is obviously another telltale sign that he's selfish and doesn't play for his team.

He was chosen to bat at no 3 in all formats. That should have been in his position. Him deciding to open is because he wants personal milestones, easiest place to do that in t20 is opening.

Babar and saim in the best possible duo we should have moving forward. They both compliment each other nicely.

 

[mominsaigol]

Babar and saim in the best possible duo we should have moving forward. They both compliment each other nicely.

We'll see, because remember this isn't PSL anymore.

 

[BouncerGuy]

We'll see, because remember this isn't PSL anymore.

Yeah sure. Let's see what happens. Hoping for the best outcome.

 

[mominsaigol]

I remember during my stay in Surrey during my studies,

I once played a first XI club, T20 cup game against a local village club XI, our team was stacked with some solid, seasoned cricketers 1-11. Proper players, some were charging a good premium for their services on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.

The team we played against had an average age of maybe 18. They might have had 2-3 guys that were 20 or 21…but the entire team were 6 formers or first year Uni.




They absolute MAULED us to the ground that day. After the game we all chilled and socialised. We learned from their players and coach that the T20 team of the club is solely this youth, and this is their platform to grow and learn. 6 or 7 of them were also playing in their First XI on Saturday’s, and the rest where playing in the 2s because their 1s were also a very strong unit.

That’s cricket, growth. That’s enabling growth.

Off topic, but my undergraduate was at Uni of Sussex.

Loved the uni, hated Brighton weather but really enjoyed the Sussex country cricket team. Their growth mindset and their playstyle was goated.

After every game, they'd go to pub crawls to socialise and chill as well as the coaches being inter mingled.

Here in usyd it's completly the opposite. The uni team is beyond competitive. No pub crawls after they compete against rival teams or even pub crawls amongst themselves. They just say you'll be the best or you will be nothing.

But both cultures are good, one adopts the you shall be nothing but the best, no mediocrity allowed, and the other adopts the we shall help you grow and you'll become the best Mantra.

Pakistan cricket doesn't understand this. In Pakistan cricket its a defeat mindset. The mindset is literally, we are losers, we are nothing, we can only rely on maybe 1 or 2 people to save us and that's it.

That's why you'll have comments such as we nothing without Bobby or rizwan or naseem.

Aka single player defeatist mindset in an 11 man team game.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

T20 WC 2024 is the litmus test for Babar. This series bears no significance.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This series against NZ will decide where pakistan team is heading but as per rmy observation this world cup could be the worst one for Pakistan under babar's captaincy.

 

[BouncerGuy]

This series against NZ will decide where pakistan team is heading but as per rmy observation this world cup could be the worst one for Pakistan under babar's captaincy.

I think the squad combo is there. They just need to figure out the combo of playing 11. Fielders should not be dropping catches at crucial moments and I think it will be fine.

 

[Asif321]

team is good but knowing Babar he sure will make some blunders . So not hoping Pakistan to win this WC .

 

[Asif321]

Blaming Babar and Riz for every defeat won't work brother. Accept the reality that when they were rested, Pakistan lost badly.

Lol. That was T20 in UAE . Afghanistan at its strongest while Pakistan had whole new squad . Compare that to WC 23 a longer format with Pakistan going full strength. Also don’t forget when your heroes were playing in Asia cup . It was Naseem shah six which made Pakistan victorious . Both golden boys were struggling against afghanistan. Let’s not also forget defeat to Zimbabwe .

 

[BouncerGuy]

Lol. That was T20 in UAE . Afghanistan at its strongest while Pakistan had whole new squad . Compare that to WC 23 a longer format with Pakistan going full strength. Also don’t forget when your heroes were playing in Asia cup . It was Naseem shah six which made Pakistan victorious . Both golden boys were struggling against afghanistan. Let’s not also forget defeat to Zimbabwe .

It is not the job of babar and riz to win you 10/10 games. WHat are the other 10 guys are doing in the game? Should just sit in the dug out and let babar and riz do all the things no?

 

[mominsaigol]

It is not the job of babar and riz to win you 10/10 games. WHat are the other 10 guys are doing in the game? Should just sit in the dug out and let babar and riz do all the things no?

Then why are they occupying no 1 aka opener to start the game and no 3, which is the position where you star batter bats?

10/10 games fair point, but how many 40 of 20's do you want the others to pull just so babar and rizwan can keep scoring at 110SR?

People can't go at 200 SR consistently just to accomdate these 2.

It's a team game, it's not their job to win you 10/10 games but it's also not their job to consistently hinder the entire batting lineup

 

[BouncerGuy]

Then why are they occupying no 1 aka opener to start the game and no 3, which is the position where you star batter bats?

10/10 games fair point, but how many 40 of 20's do you want the others to pull just so babar and rizwan can keep scoring at 110SR?

People can't go at 200 SR consistently just to accomdate these 2.

It's a team game, it's not their job to win you 10/10 games but it's also not their job to consistently hinder the entire batting lineup

We have tried may combos before them and after them as well. They are not just there tbh. They are mediocre. I have no hopes from fakhar as an opener. Have seen his mediocrity at that number in PSL and in internationals as well. Rizwan IMO has declined but he is still scoring runs. Strike rate is the main problem and that will remain I guess.

 

[Asif321]

It is not the job of babar and riz to win you 10/10 games. WHat are the other 10 guys are doing in the game? Should just sit in the dug out and let babar and riz do all the things no?

Then why are saying the reason they lost to Afghanistan was exclusion of Babar Rizwan lol . It’s one and same thing

 

[mominsaigol]

We have tried may combos before them and after them as well. They are not just there tbh. They are mediocre. I have no hopes from fakhar as an opener. Have seen his mediocrity at that number in PSL and in internationals as well. Rizwan IMO has declined but he is still scoring runs. Strike rate is the main problem and that will remain I guess.

That's not a good mentality.

Players don't drop from the sky, De villers averaged 18 his sr was also bad in his first 15 games lol.

Sometimes you need to have trust and persist for a few series, I already listed you a 40+ player talent pool that Pakistan ignores for buddei babei.

They need a chance, and the reason they need a chance is because they got guts, Balls to attack and play. Babar and rizwan have a mentality problem and that's why they need to get lost from t20 forever. Tim Robinson last game showed this mentality, he's beyond undercooked but guarantee give him a year and he'll come good and be in NZ t20 main string.

Saim, Shabzada, Haris, Usman Khan and these types of players may not perform but theirs a reason they need games and match practise. They have mentality and if that mentality can be channelled into a performance then we're the tournament competiting team

This babar and rizwan eternal defence nonsense needs to end, First they were pakistan's answer to kohli and Dhoni and were the world class talent, Now their medicore players who are needed because we don't have anyone else and will collapse forever without them.

Basically endless excuses upon endless excuses to avoid reality and the reality being is that their poor.

Sarfraz was captain once, but after poor performance I don't advocate his return, I don't keep hiding behind the excuse of 2017, so why are people hiding behind the excuse of 2019 NZ innings or 2021 thrashing of India. Its history.

 

[BouncerGuy]

That's not a good mentality.

Players don't drop from the sky, De villers averaged 18 his sr was also bad in his first 15 games lol.

Sometimes you need to have trust and persist for a few series, I already listed you a 40+ player talent pool that Pakistan ignores for buddei babei.

They need a chance, and the reason they need a chance is because they got guts, Balls to attack and play. Babar and rizwan have a mentality problem and that's why they need to get lost from t20 forever. Tim Robinson last game showed this mentality, he's beyond undercooked but guarantee give him a year and he'll come good and be in NZ t20 main string.

Saim, Shabzada, Haris, Usman Khan and these types of players may not perform but theirs a reason they need games and match practise. They have mentality and if that mentality can be channelled into a performance then we're the tournament competiting team

This babar and rizwan eternal defence nonsense needs to end, First they were pakistan's answer to kohli and Dhoni and were the world class talent, Now their medicore players who are needed because we don't have anyone else and will collapse forever without them.

Basically endless excuses upon endless excuses to avoid reality and the reality being is that their poor.

Sarfraz was captain once, but after poor performance I don't advocate his return, I don't keep hiding behind the excuse of 2017, so why are people hiding behind the excuse of 2019 NZ innings or 2021 thrashing of India. Its history.

let's see if usman plays at number 3 or fakhar gets that spot. Usman has been brilliant at number 3 so I will name him for that spot. Fakhar can come at 4. Not gonna say that he is going to open because we know, he is not going to.