Srinagar: All-rounder Imad Wasim has made another another critical remark regarding Babar Azam by claiming that everyone in the team was surprised to see Babar back as captain of the team.
After Pakistan’s poor performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, Babar Azam was removed from the side’s white-ball captaincy, and the role was handed over to Shaheen Shah Afridi. But after only six months, the PCB once handed over the captaincy to Babar ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
But Pakistan failed to impress at the T20 World Cup, and even Babar disappointed.
Speaking during an interview, Imad Wasim said, “Yes, I was surprised. What can I say, it’s ultimately the selector’s call. Whatever they thought was the best option, they picked and they picked the team [accordingly].”
“Everybody in Pakistan was surprised, not just me. So, I can’t say no that I was not surprised,” he added.
Commenting on his side’s poor T20 World Cup campaign, he said, “Yeah, our performance wasn’t up to the mark to be honest and we have to accept that, including myself. So yeah, but it is what it is. I think we had a good side, but it didn’t click. It can happen in any format, especially T20. But yeah, it was disappointing. I was really disappointed. It took me a long time to get over it.”
Meanwhile according to reports, the Babar Azam’s leadership has been put under the scanner, and is expected to be removed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.
Reportedly, a new Pakistan captain will be appointed for their upcoming tour of Australia.
According to reports, white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has already had discussions with PCB officials in July, and Mohammad Rizwan is being tipped as Babar’s successor as white-ball skipper, and as captain of all three formats in the future.