Shahid Afridi Has Asked Babar Azam To Step Down As T20 Captain

The Babar Azam-led Pakistan was defeated by England in the T20 World Cup 2022 final.

Pakistan had a rollercoaster ride in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, reaching the finals despite losing two consecutive matches in the Super 12 stage. The Babar Azam-led side was eventually defeated by England in the summit clash that crowned England as world champions.

Many members of the cricketing community believe that captain Babar Azam should step down. Furthermore, Pakistan great Shahid Afridi believes that Babar should give up responsibility in the T20 format and instead focus on batting and leading the team in ODIs and Tests.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi suggested that Babar Azam step down as T20 captain to focus on his batting after the current skipper struggled with the bat at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.

Afridi also stated that Pakistan has other options for T20 captains, including Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shan Masood.

Afridi told the media, “Babar Azam should step down as T20 captain and focus on his batting.” We have other players, such as Shadab, Rizwan, and even Shan, who can lead the T20 team.”

Following a poor showing in the T20 World Cup 2022, where he scored 124 runs in seven innings with an average of 17.71, the focus has shifted to Babar Azam's personal contribution to the team.

Pakistan may have finished second in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, but Babar's batting performance was lacking, as the star batter only managed 124 runs in the tournament.

Following his poor performance, many have suggested that Babar should step down as captain of at least one format, and now the legendary all-rounder has joined the long list.

Notably, Pakistan was denied the opportunity to lift the T20 World Cup 2022 trophy after losing to England in the final at the MCG on November 13.

The Pakistan captain’s lean patch throughout the T20 World Cup was one of the events that stood out. With the exception of his sensational 53-run innings against New Zealand, Babar did not appear to be in top form.

Furthermore, Babar had single-digit scores in the first four Super 12 matches and a 32 in the championship match against England. Fans and members of the cricketing fraternity have witnessed his decline with the willow, which has been harmed by the pressures of captaincy

Throughout the competition, the skipper was heavily chastised for his underwhelming performances. Babar has not responded to the cricketing community's suggestions, and it remains to be seen what happens. It’s worth noting that Babar Azam led the Men in Green to the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2021, the Asia Cup finals in 2022, and the T20 World Cup finals in 2022.

Babar is also the most successful T20 team captain in Pakistan, having won 40 of 66 games, or 65.57 percent of the time. Pakistan's captain has also risen to third place in the T20 batting rankings.