Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi claimed the Interim selection committee led- by former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi wanted to remove current Pakistan skipper Babar Azam from captaincy during their home series against New Zealand.
Speaking on the Waheed Khan youtube channel, Najam Sethi revealed that the Interim selection committee wanted some changes in the team for the home series against the Blackcaps including the change in a leadership position, and also added that he insisted the committee continue with Babar Azam as the skipper.
“We made an interim selection committee when we took charge. Before the selectors came on board, they told us that there will need to be some changes and Babar needed to be replaced as captain as well, However, as soon as they were appointed, they said there is no need to replace Babar. I told them that you are entitled to change their mind,” Najam Sethi said.
Najam Sethi further added Babar Azam can continue as a skipper until he plays well as a batsman and wins matches for the Men in Green and reckoned that questions will be raised if fails to win the series as a skipper.
“As long as Babar is a successful batsman and a successful captain, he will remain captain. If you continue to lose series, people will start questioning your captaincy and other qualities,” he said.
Babar Azam has been facing criticism regarding his captaincy after he failed to win a single Test at home against England and New Zealand. Many former cricketers want Babar Azam to give up his leadership role in one format and want Shadab Khan to take over T20 captaincy.
You Can Sit With Babar Azam And Then Decide – Najam Sethi Advice New Coach Mickey Arthur
Pakistan Cricket team is going through a massive change as their appointed new coaching staff ahead of their home season against New Zealand. Speaking on the new coaching setup, Najam Sethi said Mickey Arthur wanted to have a single captain for the forthcoming series and said they will decide on the future after talking with the head coach.
“I asked Mickey, do you want one captain or two captains for the New Zealand series? After consulting with him, we decided on having one captain for the white-ball format. I told him, when you will come, you can sit with Babar and then decide from there onwards,” he concluded.
A Preparatory camp started at the National Cricket Academy on April 7 or 8 where the T20I and ODI squad players were trained together. The 1st T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan will be held on April 14, in Lahore. Meanwhile, the ODI series will kick start in Rawalpindi on April 26.