The Pakistan cricket team has been facing considerable challenges since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup 2023. Their struggles continued as they were eliminated from the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup, leading to significant changes in their management and team structure. In a surprising twist, Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy across all formats shortly after the ODI tournament. However, after a brief period, he was reinstated as captain of the ODI and T20 teams. This decision has sparked reactions among players and fans alike, most notably from his teammate Imad Wasim.
Imad Wasim Expresses Surprise Over Babar’s Reappointment as Captain
Following Babar Azam’s resignation, Shaheen Afridi was appointed as the T20 captain. Unfortunately, the team under Afridi’s leadership struggled, suffering a substantial 4-1 loss in a T20 series against New Zealand. As a result of the team’s poor performance, the selectors made the decision to revert back to Babar as captain. In a recent interview, Imad Wasim admitted his astonishment at this decision, shedding light on the unexpected nature of the selectors’ choice.
Imad Wasim stated, “Yes, I was surprised, but what can I say, it was the selectors’ decision. Whatever they thought, they must have found it to be the best option after considering multiple factors. I was certainly taken aback by the announcement, and to be candid, not just me but everyone else was surprised too.”
Imad Wasim “I was surprised that Babar Azam was re-appointed captain” #cricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/1T7EUwVlEs
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 13, 2024
Future of Babar Azam’s Captaincy in Jeopardy
Despite his recent reinstatement, questions surrounding Babar Azam’s future as captain loom large. Sources suggest that his position is again under threat. Notably, he has not been assigned captaincy for the upcoming Champions ODI Cup. During this domestic tournament, other players like Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Harris, and Saud Shakeel are taking on leadership roles. Reports indicate that Mohammad Rizwan is a strong contender to replace Babar as captain for the Pakistan national team moving forward.
The ongoing changes and uncertainty in leadership reflect the challenges the Pakistan cricket team faces as it aims to rebuild and improve its performance on the international stage. The reactions from players like Imad Wasim highlight the level of surprise and discontent among the team regarding the recent decisions made by the selectors.
