One of Pakistan’s most successful captains, Babar Azam, will continue to lead the national team till World Cup 2023, which is scheduled to be held in India later this year.
\nWhile an official announcement is yet to be made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the sources confirmed to the publication that officials comprising chairman Management Committee Najam Sethi, chief selector Haroon Rashid and Director Coaching Mickey Arthur has unanimously decided to repose trust in Babar as the captain of the team till the mega event.
\nBesides leading the team in the World Cup, he will also be seen captaining the team in all series and events in the run-up to the mega event.
\nThese include the two Test match series against Sri Lanka, three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and Asia Cup to be hosted by Pakistan in September.
\n\u201cFollowing a series of meetings over the last few weeks that also included online meetings and in-person meeting with Arthur in mid-April, the troika has decided to continue with Babar as the team captain till the World Cup.
\n“It is believed that since there was no potential candidate who can come even closer to his abilities as a cricketer and captain, the best and most sane approach is to continue with Babar as the captain till the ODI World Cup 2023,\u201d.
\nBesides, leading the team to World No 1 spot in ODIs (just for a couple of hours), Babar is also unbeatable on the batting chart in the format.
\n\u201cHis ability to handle the team in crunch situations and his personal contribution that makes him a leader who can lead the team from the front makes him one of the best not only in Pakistan but around the world as well.
\n“The decision to retain him as the captain till the World Cup was unanimous as all three officials during the meetings were convinced that Babar was standing alone at the top of captaincy aspirants list for the extravaganza,\u201d the source maintained.
\nThe decision to retain Babar as a captain laid to rest all speculations that the PCB is considering other options or there is more than one aspirant for the coveted position.
\nIt was also learnt that Babar has already been taken into confidence over the decision.
\n\u201cThis has been primarily to seek his help and guidance when it comes to selecting team members for coming series including the Asia Cup and later for the World Cup. It is like a decision (stitch) in time saves the nine senario.
\n“Since Pakistan will host the Asia Cup and World Cup is also scheduled in the sub-continent, a timely decision always benefits in preparing well,\u201d the source added.
\nEven Sethi in his recent interaction with the media hinted at retaining Babar as the captain till the World Cup. \u201cI think there is no better option for the job,” he had said.
\nIn between, however, there were rumours that Arthur was not comfortable with Babar and he was more inclined towards giving the responsibility to Shan Masood.
\nBut Shan has nothing to support his credentials as his 158 runs in eight ODI innings with less than 20 runs per innings and that too as a top-order batter didn’t help his cause.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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