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Cricket

“We should support Babar and not make matters controversial,” says Najam Sethi chairman of PCB

On Monday, interim management committee chairman Najam Sethi of the Pakistan Cricket Board sought to defuse the ongoing debate about Babar Azam’s all-format captaincy of the national side, claiming on social media that the “status quo will remain intact” for the time being.

It basically means that the sword hangs over Babar’s head, with Sethi noting that a final decision will be “subject to the success or failure of the status quo” and that any debate over the topic should be avoided.

Despite considerable speculation that he will be divested of captaincy responsibilities in one of the formats, Babar is now scheduled to lead Pakistan in this week’s five-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand at home.

After the T20s, Pakistan will play a five-match One-day International series against New Zealand, the outcome of which, according to Sethi’s Twitter message, might determine who takes Pakistan to the World Cup later this year.

“For months media and cricketing circles have been discussing pros and cons of retaining Babar Azam as captain in all formats of the game,” tweeted Sethi. “Since this decision is ultimately Chairman’s, I have sought views of Selection Committees headed by Shahid Afridi and now Haroon Rashid. Both Committees thought matter merited discussion but both later came to the conclusion that the status quo should be retained. I have subsequently publicly stated this position. In the final analysis my decision will be subject to the success or failure of the status quo. I will also be guided by what the Selectors and Director Cricket Ops and Head Coach have to say going forward. I expect they will be in the best position to advise me. Therefore we should support Babar and not make matters controversial in the interests of the national team,” he added.

After Sethi’s statements, Afridi turned to social media to clarify that he had not advised the PCB to replace Babar. “I spoke with Mr Najam Sethi, who said he was not referring to me when he commented about Babar Azam’s captaincy. “This has put the subject to rest,” Afridi tweeted on Monday, adding that he wished Babar and the team the best of luck in the New Zealand series.

After two dismal home seasons, the PCB was considering removing Babar’s all-format captaincy. Pakistan lost 3-0 in Tests and 4-3 in T20Is against England during the 2022-23 home season, drew 0-0 in a Test series, and lost 2-1 in an ODI series against New Zealand. They performed better abroad, though, winning a T20I tri-series in New Zealand and reaching the T20 World Cup final in Australia.

After Sethi gained charge, the PCB unexpectedly appointed Shan Masood as vice-captain in ODIs. Shan has only played five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) prior to then, the last of which was in 2019. That was considered to generate internal turmoil at the time, with Babar insisting on having the last word in selection decisions. The new vice-captain did not participate in the first two matches, only appearing in the third and being ejected for 0.

Pakistan rested a core of experienced players for a recent T20I series against Afghanistan, including Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi. Shadab Khan, the official vice captain, took over as captain, but Pakistan lost the series 2-1. The seniors have returned to the squad as a white-ball series against New Zealand approaches, with Babar assuming leadership.

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