Babar Azam should quit Pakistan T20I captaincy, focus on longer formats: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has urged Babar Azam to give up T20I captaincy and focus on leading the side in the longer formats of the game, including ODIs and Tests. Afridi said he respects Babar a lot and that is why he doesn't want the highly-rated batter to shoulder the responsibility of captaincy across all 3 formats, especially considering the fickle nature of T20I cricket.

Shahid Afridi also said Babar Azam should refrain from taking up captaincy at Peshawar Zalmi in the upcoming edition 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 the leading batters in world cricket. The Pakistan captain is the only player to be rated in top 3 across all formats of the game but his showing in the T20 World Cup 2022 raised concerns. Babar managed 124 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of just 93, leading to questions about his place at the top 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 said in an interview with Sama TV.

Afridi said the likes of Shadab Khan, who is already the vice-captain of the team, or the likes of Mohammad Rizwan or Shan Masood can take up captaincy in T20I cricket and ease the burden of Babar in the shortest format of the game.

"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 during the T20 World Cup as he struggled to get going at the top. Questions were asked about his apparent reluctance to give up the opening spot and bat at No. 3.

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

Pakistan reached the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia but they were comprehensively outplayed by England, who needed only 139 to chase in the big final in Melbourne.