Babar Azam should relinquish captaincy, can do wonders as a batter: Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam. (Photo Source: Twitter)

India and Pakistan locked horns on Saturday, October 14, in one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the year in the ODI World Cup 2023. The two Asian giants were expected to enthrall the cricket fraternity at the gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, India won in a canter, chasing a paltry 192-run target in just 30.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.

This turned out to be Pakistan’s second defeat in two months against India. The ‘Men in Green’ lost to Rohit Sharma’s men in the Asia Cup 2023, back in September. After the seven-wicket defeat in the World Cup, Babar Azam’s captaincy future has become a huge topic of discussion.

While some feel that the 29-year-old should be given more time, others reckon that the right-handed batter has run his race as captain of the national side. Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik said after the most recent loss that Babar should leave captaincy as Malik, a former Pakistan captain himself, noted that Babar could contribute more just as a batter. Moreover, he believes that it can do wonders for the team.

“Look, I will give you my honest opinion on this. I have already said this in previous interviews that Babar should leave captaincy, it is just my opinion but there’s a lot of homework behind it. Babar, as a player, can do wonders for himself as well as the team,” the former Pakistan skipper stated.

It is my personal opinion and that is not because we lost the game today [against India] or we lost by a big margin, no it [my opinion] is not built on that,” Malik continued while speaking to A Sports.

I think that Babar, as a leader, doesn’t think out of the box: Shoaib Malik

Furthermore, Shoaib Malik pointed out that Babar Azam is someone who doesn’t think out of the box, when under pressure despite having led the side for a long time now. However, Malik did not miss out on saying that he has no personal agenda but it is rather his long-term observations about Azam. Besides, the former skipper also iterated that Azam’s batting skills should not merged with his leadership aspects.

“I think that Babar, as a leader, doesn’t think out of the box. One shouldn’t mix his leadership with his batting skills as they both are different. He has been a captain for a long time now, but he hasn’t been able to improve himself,” the 41-year-old concluded.

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