With the marquee world cricket event this year set to be be the T20 World Cup 2024, the latest buzz around Pakistan Cricket is that Babar Azam is likely to be reappointed as the captain ahead of the ICC event. While there has not been any official confirmation regarding the same, a report carried by Cricket Pakistan among others suggest the same. If Babar indeed returns as the skipper, he will replace Shaheen Shah Afridi as the captain in the shortest format.
While a report carried in the aforementioned publication had suggested that it was Mohammad Rizwan who was initially leading the race to take over as Pakistan's T20I captain with Babar also on consideration, it is now being reported that Babar has beaten Rizwan in the race and he could end up as the Pakistan skipper once again as the Pakistan Cricket Officials (PCB) are seemingly close to finalise him as the captain for the major event.
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Having said that, it is being learnt through the same source that Babar is not too keen on taking up the role as he was removed as the captain. He is seeking clarification from the board on several aspects and only once he is convinced will he agree to take charge as captain once again.
Babar Azam Sacked As Pakistan Captain After ODI World Cup 2023
Notably, Babar was sacked as Pakistan's white-ball captain after the ODI World Cup 2023 in which the Men in Green failed to reach the semifinal. While Shaheen Shah Afridi had taken charge as the Pakistan skipper in T20Is, after losing his white-ball captaincy, Babar resigned as Test captain with Shan Masood replacing him as the skipper in the game's purest format. However, Pakistan's recent performances haven't been encouraging with the Men in Green losing their three Tests against Australia and going down 1-4 to New Zealand in the five-match series.