Pakistan Captain Babar Azam To Be Sacked Again?

Pakistan's cricket board has been advised by head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie to avoid hasty captaincy changes despite recent poor performances. Babar Azam was removed from white ball captaincy after the 2023 ODI World Cup exit, and Shaheen Shah Afridi was replaced following a single bad series.

A PCB source told PTI that media speculations about Masood and Babar's sacking are unfounded. "There has been no discussion on changing the captains as the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has left it up to the two coaches and selectors to decide on the captaincy," he said.

Continuity in Leadership

The source added that both Kirsten and Gillespie believe Shan Masood and Babar Azam should be given a fair chance to prove their leadership skills. "Kirsten and Gillespie are very clear that Shan and Babar both need to be given a proper run before judging their leadership abilities," he stated.

The coaches have emphasized the need for stability in captaincy, conveying this clearly to the board. The upcoming one-day workshop titled "Cricket Connection" in Lahore will not discuss captaincy or team selections. Instead, it aims to gather input from domestic team coaches, selectors, and contracted players.

Workshop Goals

"The workshop is being held to hear the views of all stakeholders so that the board can bridge the gap between domestic cricket and international standards," the source explained. Gillespie will join via video link, while Kirsten will attend in person.

The coaches have stressed that patience and consistent policies are essential for long-term success across formats. They want domestic team coaches to understand what is needed to ensure a steady flow of players for national team selection.

When asked about who would lead the ODI series later this year in Australia and South Africa or for the Champions Trophy, the source indicated it would likely be Babar Azam to maintain continuity in white ball formats.

"That workshop is being held because both coaches want domestic team coaches to have a clear picture of what is required from them," he said. This approach aims to ensure a smooth transition of players into national teams across all formats.

The PCB's decision-making process regarding captaincy remains focused on long-term results rather than immediate changes based on short-term performance issues.