The resignation of Babar Azam as Pakistan’s ODI and T20I captain has once again plunged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) into a leadership crisis. The PCB is scrambling to find a suitable replacement with a crucial tour of Australia just around the corner. This predicament reflects the ongoing struggles within Pakistan cricket, a pattern that has repeatedly hindered the team’s progress over the past few years.
Babar’s resignation marks the second time he has stepped down as captain within a year, raising questions about the PCB’s management and their ability to maintain stability. Pakistan’s Test cricket fortunes are equally bleak, with Shan Masood facing defeat in all five Tests since taking over. If Pakistan falters in their upcoming series against England, Masood’s position as captain could be the next to come under scrutiny.
The constant reshuffling of captains is symptomatic of the PCB’s lack of clear direction. Babar’s appointment and subsequent removal suggest poor foresight from the board. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi reinstated him earlier this year, only for Babar to face heavy criticism following Pakistan’s poor T20 World Cup campaign.
As the PCB now weighs potential candidates like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Rizwan, the reality is that none of them have substantial experience or a proven track record at the national level. Shaheen’s brief stint as T20I captain ended in defeat, and Shadab and Rizwan have had mixed performances, leaving no clear standout choice.
Furthermore, Babar’s recent struggles with the bat only compound Pakistan’s woes. Once considered one of the world’s best, his form has sharply declined, and his inability to perform has exposed an already fragile batting lineup. Unlike leaders such as Rohit Sharma and Ben Stokes, who have thrived under pressure, captaincy seems to have weighed heavily on Babar, making him an underperforming shadow of his former self.
The PCB’s handling of the situation reveals a deeper systemic issue – an inability to nurture and support talent, resulting in repeated crises and instability. As Babar steps back to focus on his game, the PCB finds itself in familiar territory, gasping for direction and struggling to escape the never-ending cycle of poor management and leadership uncertainty. The question remains: when will the PCB finally learn from its mistakes and implement a long-term strategy for the betterment of Pakistan cricket?
