Former cricketer suggests replacing Babar Azam with Mohammad Rizwan as T20I captain

By
Web Desk
Pakistan cricketers Muhammad Rizwan (L) and Babar Azam. — PCB/File
Pakistan cricketers Muhammad Rizwan (L) and Babar Azam. — PCB/File

  • Former cricketer Mudassar says this will relieve Babar from pressure. 
  • "Pakistan’s entire batting line-up revolves around Babar Azam and he should be protected at all costs," he says. 
  • "Babar holds the key for the Men-in-Green in international cricket," he adds. 


Former Test cricketer Mudassar Nazar has suggested making changes in the Pakistan T20I captaincy by replacing the current skipper Babar Azam with Muhammad Rizwan to relieve Azam from the pressure.

Star player Babar had been successful in the shortest format of the game. He has captained the Men in Green in 40 matches, out of which the team has won 29, lost nine, while five matches ended in no result.

While speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Nazar said: "Babar should not be leading the Pakistan side in T20Is despite his successful run."

During the interview, Nazar said: "Pakistan’s entire batting line-up revolves around Babar Azam and he should be protected at all costs to maximise the benefit."

“If the conditions are not suited then our biggest concern is whether Pakistan will be able to complete 50 overs or not and then you need a player who can play long innings," he said, adding that the team does not have a batsman like Babar if he gets out. 

“If it was up to me, I would replace Babar with Rizwan for T20Is," he said, adding that "Babar holds the key for the Men-in-Green in international cricket."

Calling Babar Pakistan's "main man", Nazar said that the entire team revolves around him. "He takes his time but he takes the match till the very end. He is not Shahid Afridi or David Warner,” he said.

Under Babar's captaincy, Pakistan reached the ICC T20 World Cup semifinal last year and under his leadership, the team had a historic 10-wicket win against India in the tournament.