Babar Azam’s decision to relinquish Pakistan leadership roles across formats has been met with a range of reactions from his teammates, ranging from heartfelt tributes to silence.
Those who have spoken up have expressed their admiration for Babar’s leadership and contributions to the team. Pacer Naseem Shah, who missed the World Cup due to injury, took to social media to applaud Babar, stating that it had been an honor to play under his captaincy.
Wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, who often served as Babar’s deputy, also penned an emotional tribute, praising Babar’s honesty, integrity, and efforts for Pakistan. Middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed echoed Rizwan’s sentiments, expressing his gratitude for Babar’s resilience and determination.
However, some other teammates, including Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, have remained silent on Babar’s decision. This silence has led to speculation about potential rifts within the Pakistan squad.
Former Pakistan players have also offered their perspectives on Babar’s captaincy. While Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Azhar Ali, and Azhar Mahmood praised Babar’s leadership, two former teammates, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, expressed their belief that Babar no longer deserved a place in the national T20 side.
Following Babar’s decision to step down, the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Shan Masood as Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as T20I skipper. It remains to be seen how the team will perform under their new leadership.
