Following Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board ushered in a new leadership era by appointing separate captains across formats. Reports at the time claimed that Babar Azam had reluctantly stepped down from captaincy duties after leading Pakistan in all three formats.
Nearly three years later, however, the PCB could be preparing for a dramatic reversal of that decision.
According to reports, a campaign is now underway within the PCB to replace current Test captain Shan Masood with Babar Azam following Pakistan’s humiliating 104-run defeat to Bangladesh national cricket team in the opening Test in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The backlash surrounding Pakistan’s poor performance has intensified in recent days, with Masood facing criticism not only for his leadership but also for his struggles with the bat. Since taking over as Test captain in December 2023, Masood has overseen 11 defeats in 15 matches — a record that has reportedly raised serious concerns within the board.
News agency PTI quoted a source close to the Pakistan team as saying that Babar could return as Test captain for the remainder of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, with Pakistan still scheduled to play seven more Tests this year.
Babar missed the first Test against Bangladesh because of a knee injury but is expected to return for the second Test beginning on May 18.
“Some influential figures in the Pakistan Cricket Board also want Babar back as captain and believe this is the right time to give him another run at captaincy,” the source reportedly said.
The report further claimed that support for Babar’s return extends inside the dressing room as well. Interestingly, all three current Pakistan captains across formats — Shan Masood, ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha — are currently part of the squad touring Bangladesh.
“If Babar plays the second Test and regains his batting form, he is a strong contender to come back as captain. Initial exchanges with some board officials indicate he is also not averse to becoming captain again,” the source added.
Babar Could Return As ODI Captain Too
The report also suggested that the PCB’s long-term plan could involve restoring Babar as Test captain first before eventually preparing him to reassume ODI captaincy ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Notably, Babar had earlier returned as Pakistan’s T20I captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, only to step down again after another disappointing campaign.
Meanwhile, Masood is reportedly deeply disappointed after the defeat in Dhaka and is now seriously considering taking up a permanent administrative role with the PCB. Last year, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi had reportedly offered him the role of Director of International Cricket and Player Affairs, but Masood chose to continue leading the Test side through the World Test Championship cycle.
