Babar Azam: According to Najam Sethi, the Chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shahid Afridi, who led the men’s selection panel, had intended to remove Babar Azam as the skipper of the Pakistan cricket team. Afridi was appointed as the head of the selection panel for Pakistan’s home series against New Zealand, and the committee was formed prior to the series. However, Sethi has since confirmed that Babar will remain as the skipper, as long as he continues to perform well at the highest level. Follow All Sports News with Insidesport.IN
Babar Azam: Najam Sethi Revealed Shahid Afridi’s Intention
Talking on a YouTube channel, PCB Chief Najam Sethi said, “We made an interim selection committee when we took charge. Before the selectors came on board, they told us that there will need to be some changes and Babar needs to be replaced as captain as well.”
“However, as soon as they were appointed, they said there is no need to replace Babar. I told them that you are entitled to change your mind,” he added.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi on Babar Azam’s captaincy, about criticism on his captaincy from the likes of Waheed Khan, Abdul Majid Bhatti, Yahya Hussaini and Mirza Iqbal Baig. #PAKvNZ
Video Credits: Waheed Khan YouTube pic.twitter.com/YRcql7V70y
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 10, 2023
Last week, PCB Chief Najam Sethi took to Twitter, to put an end to speculations doing the rounds about Babar Azam’s captaincy. In his tweet he clearly stated that Babar will be leading the Pakistan side in ODIs and T20I. Sethi also admitted that he spoke to Mickey Arthur before announcing Babar Azam as captain for the upcoming New Zealand series.
Babar Azam came to see me today. I told him he will lead the ODI and T20I national team against New Zealand. And then @TheRealPCB announced the squads. So all those who were spreading fake fears are out of jobs today.
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) April 4, 2023
Babar Azam To Lead Pakistan Against Kiwis
Babar Azam was rested for the T20I series against Afghanistan, which Pakistan lost at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. In the absence of Babar, Shadab Khan was leading the Pakistan side, whereas Afghanistan was led by Rashid Khan. Now, Babar is making a comeback and will be leading the team in Pakistan’s upcoming home series against the Black Caps.
During this time, Babar also played for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and even scored a century against the Quetta Gladiators. However, the talented cricketer has been under a lot of scrutiny lately, as he was unable to lead Pakistan to a single home Test victory last year.
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