![Babar Azam's captaincy questioned after West Indies debacle [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1785326832158_BabarAzamPakistancaptain.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam's captaincy questioned after West Indies debacle [Source: AP]
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir launched a scathing attack on Test captain Babar Azam after the Men in Green lost the first Test to West Indies by 90 runs. Amir questioned Babar’s merit as a leader, suggesting that his reappointment was a bad call.
For context, Babar was reappointed as Pakistan’s Test captain ahead of the West Indies tour, 2 years after he stepped down as the team’s all-format captain in 2023.
Babar replaced Shan Masood, who held a poor record in his captaincy tenure that lasted more than 2 years.
Mohammad Amir questions Babar Azam’s Test captaincy
Having said that, Babar Azam’s second stint as Test captain began on a sour note as Pakistan lost the first Test to West Indies by 90 runs. Following the defeat, former pacer Mohammad Amir had a strong take.
Talking to Wisden, Amir said this is the wrong time to burden Babar with captaincy. He feels that Babar has struggled with his batting form in recent years and hasn't scored a Test century in four years.
"Personally, I don't think Babar Azam should be the Test captain. He has only just started performing well again after a long time. He's looking in good touch now & suddenly you're putting him under pressure,” Amir said.
“In Pakistan, you know, the media and our culture are very tough. As a captain, you have to be answerable for every single thing. Now that he's the captain, I don't know how he's going to handle it.”
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Hence, according to Amir, Babar should now focus solely on his batting rather than taking on the extra responsibility of captaincy.
“My personal opinion is that he should just play as a player, with a free mind and less pressure. He's the one player we can really trust. He's the best player in Pakistan right now. But I don't think making him captain is a good decision."
Babar’s captaincy record in Tests
Previously, Babar Azam served as Pakistan’s Test captain from 2020 to 2023. Under his captaincy, the men in green played 20 Tests and won 10 games while also losing 6 games and drawing 4.
During the same tenure as captain, Babar thrived as a batter, scoring 1727 runs at an average of 50.79. He also hammered 4 centuries and 11 fifties.
However, after Pakistan’s group stage exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, pressure was building on Babar Azam. Eventually, he caved in and resigned as an all-format captain.
Babar Azam scored a fifty vs West Indies
Coming back to his personal form, Babar Azam could score only 23 runs in the first innings against West Indies in the first Test. However, with 211 runs to chase in the second innings, the skipper scored an unbeaten half-century.
He was let down by his teammates as Pakistan collapsed to 120 runs to endure a 90-run defeat. Regardless, this performance is not something the fans would expect from a captain.
Moreover, the fact that Shan Masood scored a century in the first innings has put more pressure on Babar Azam. Hence, in hindsight, it appears that Mohammad Amir’s concern was not totally wrong after all.
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