Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi speculated as candidates to replace Babar Azam as Pakistan captain - Reports
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking at former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, and pacer Shaheen Afridi as possible replacements for Babar Azam as captain post the ongoing World Cup, as per reports from India Today.
Following a fine start to their 2023 World Cup campaign, winning the opening two games, the Men in Green have slumped to three consecutive losses. They currently find themselves fifth on the points table.
While the defeat to India was bad enough, the Babar Azam-led side also suffered their first-ever loss to lowly Afghanistan in their most recent outing.
More than the result, several decisions by Babar during Afghanistan's stunning run-chase of 283 raised eyebrows. A source close to the development has said, as quoted by India Today:
"Only if Pakistan can stage a miracle and win all their remaining matches to qualify for the semi-finals of this World Cup does Babar stand any chance of surviving as captain and even then he might be relegated to skipper in just the red ball format."
Barring a miraculous comeback leading to qualification for the semi-final, Babar's tenure as skipper is reportedly all but over.
"It is over for Babar because he has been given unbridled power and authority as captain and more importantly he has always had players of his choice in the team. There has never been any attempt to reduce his authority and so he is now being held solely responsible for the Asia Cup and World Cup defeats," the source added.
Prior to the World Cup, Pakistan suffered a dismal campaign at the Asia Cup, finishing at the bottom of the Super Fours table.
The 29-year-old Babar Azam has led the side in 130 games across formats, with 76 wins and 42 losses and a 58.46 win percentage.
Pakistan might also have a new coaching staff post-World Cup
Apart from skipper Babar Azam, it is also being reported that Pakistan might move on from the current coaching staff of Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, Mornie Merkel, Andrew Puttick, and manager Rehan ul Haq following the World Cup.
While a lot hinges on the side's remaining four league stage matches, there is an air of inevitability about wholesome changes in the Pakistan setup.
"They are very bright chances that Pakistan will have a new coaching staff and captain when they embark on the Test tour of Australia and for the white ball series in New Zealand after the World Cup. Sarfaraz might win the nod to captain the Test and ODI sides again while Shaheen may get a chance to be the T20 captain," the source said.
While Sarfaraz is not part of the current Pakistan World Cup squad, he has captained the side in 100 games across formats, with an excellent win percentage of 61. Meanwhile, Rizwan has led the side only twice, losing both games, and Afridi has never skippered Pakistan.
Following the World Cup, the Men in Green will immediately embark on a three-Test tour of Australia, starting December 14.
In a near must-win to keep their World Cup hopes alive, the side takes on the red-hot South Africa in Chennai on Friday, October 27.