Babar Azam's tenure as the captain of Pakistan's ODI side has experienced a rocky start. In his first nine matches, since taking over the role from Imad Wasim in 2020, the side has lost and won four matches each, including an embarrassing 0-3 defeat to a second-string England side. Reacting to the result, Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan cricketer, has claimed that Azam could step down in the future.
Right-hander Azam has been his country's most successful batsman lately but has come under heavy fire from the veterans of Pakistan cricket for not leading the side well enough. Moreover, they have also claimed that there is a lot of pressure on Azam considering he now leads the team in all three formats.
Speaking on the Cricket Baaz YouTube channel, former wicketkeeper Latif said their tour of West Indies could decide the future of Babar's captaincy.
“Babar Azam has the team's support but not the support as far as performances are concerned in this [England ODI] series. They won their previous few series. Here they have given very bad performances but we will still give margin to Babar. This T20 series and the upcoming tour of the West Indies is crucial for Babar’s captaincy," said Latif.
{{/usCountry}}“Babar Azam has the team's support but not the support as far as performances are concerned in this [England ODI] series. They won their previous few series. Here they have given very bad performances but we will still give margin to Babar. This T20 series and the upcoming tour of the West Indies is crucial for Babar’s captaincy," said Latif.
{{/usCountry}}He added: "I think if it goes south, Babar might have to relinquish the captaincy after the West Indies series in order to preserve his own performances. I think he might be asked to step down or he could take the decision himself if they fail miserably in the series against West Indies".
Pakistan's last long-term ODI captain was Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led the side for 50 matches between 2015 and 2019. Post the 2019 World Cup, Mohammad Hafeez and Wasim were tried out for two games each before the board handed over the reins to Azam.
Currently, Pakistan are locked in a three-match T20I series battle against England. They won the first T20I by 31 runs.