Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has sparked fresh debate over Pakistan cricket by criticizing Babar Azam’s return as the national Test captain, claiming the decision reflects the star batter’s desire to lead rather than what is best for the team.
Speaking during a discussion with media, Shehzad argued that Babar had already been given sufficient opportunities as captain in the past but failed to produce the desired results. He questioned why the Pakistan Cricket Board opted to hand him the leadership role again despite previous setbacks.
According to Shehzad, Babar’s recent batting performances also raised concerns. He claimed that over his previous 30 to 32 innings, the right-handed batter scored around 550 runs, leading to ongoing criticism about his consistency and form. In Shehzad’s view, appointing him as captain again while his batting remained under scrutiny was difficult to justify.
The former opener also addressed a long-standing argument often made by cricket analysts and fans—that captaincy had negatively affected Babar’s batting. If that belief was genuine, Shehzad said, then reinstating him as captain appeared contradictory.
“He wanted to become captain again,” Shehzad suggested, adding that the decision seemed to indicate Babar himself was interested in reclaiming the role rather than stepping aside to focus solely on improving his batting.
Shehzad further claimed that captaincy comes with significant benefits, including greater authority, separate accommodation during tours, higher allowances, and increased influence within the team environment. He argued that these privileges make the position attractive for any player.
The former batter also rejected the idea that Babar accepted the responsibility purely for Pakistan’s benefit. He maintained that if captaincy had genuinely been affecting Babar’s performances, the star batter should have declined the role and allowed another deserving player or a younger leader to take charge of the Test side.
The remarks have quickly generated discussion among cricket fans, with opinions divided over both Shehzad’s criticism and Babar’s leadership credentials. While supporters believe Babar’s experience makes him the right choice to guide Pakistan’s Test team, critics argue that leadership changes should prioritize team performance over individual preference.
Babar Azam, meanwhile, has previously stated that he has learned valuable lessons from his earlier stint as captain and intends to lead with better planning and greater experience this time. Whether his second spell as Test captain delivers improved results will now be closely watched by fans and cricket experts alike.
