Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
Babar Azam is set to be reinstated as captain of the Pakistan Test team, according to journalist Rangzab Ahmed.
“Chairman of the Cricket Board Mohsin Reza Naqvi has approved the appointment of King Babar Azam as the captain of the Test team,” wrote Ahmed on X (formerly Twitter).
“Official announcement expected today or Monday.”
Pakistan reportedly want Babar Azam as Test captain after poor run of results under Shan Masood
Pakistan have endured a difficult period under Shan Masood’s captaincy. They have lost 12 of 16 Tests under his guidance, including a 2-0 defeat away in Bangladesh in May.
After that series, Masood said wholesale changes aren’t the answer. However, sources indicate the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are ready to make a decision, which leaves Masood’s position in the Test XI at risk given he averages just 30.49 in 46 Tests.
“There’s many things that we need to build on. You won’t build from wholesale changes, you will build from identifying what we do well, what we do badly. How can we reduce those mistakes because as I’ve said before, in Tests mistakes over five days are very costly,” said Masood back in May, as quoted by cricinfo.
Pakistan will be seeking to find form away to West Indies and England. The two-match series in the Caribbean begins on July 25, followed by three Tests in England.
Babar has a terrific record as captain. He averages 50.19 in 20 matches leading Pakistan compared to 38.78 in his remaining 42 Tests. However, there is no official confirmation as to whether he has officially accepted the role.
