The new chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi has recently revealed that the team's men's selection panel, which was led by Shahid Afridi, wanted to remove Babar Azam as the skipper of the side. Afridi was named the head of the selection panel for Pakistan's home series against New Zealand.
"We made an interim selection committee when we took charge. Before the selectors came on board, they told us that there will need to be some changes and Babar needs to be replaced as captain as well," Sethi told on a YouTube channel.
"However, as soon as they were appointed, they said there is no need to replace Babar. I told them that you are entitled to change your mind," he added.
The former Pakistan cricketer added that Babar will remain the skipper of the country's national team as long as he is successful at the highest level. "As long as Babar is a successful batsman and a successful captain, he will remain captain. If you continue to lose series, people will start questioning your captaincy and other qualities," the PCB chief said.
Babar Azam was rested for Pakistan's T20I series against Afghanistan which Pakistan lost 2-1. He will return for Pakistan's upcoming home series against the Black Caps.
Babar also recently skippered the Peshawar Zalmi side in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he also scored a century against the Quetta Gladiators. The star opener has faced a lot of criticism after he failed to lead Pakistan to a single victory in home Tests in 2022. However, he was key in helping his side to the final of the T20 World Cup in 2022.
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