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'Babar Azam Should Leave Captaincy' - Shoaib Malik After Humiliating Loss To India 

image-lnri93rfBabar Azam with Rohit Sharma (X.com)

Shoaib Malik made a big statement on Babar Azam's captaincy in the aftermath of Pakistan's painstaking defeat in the ICC World Cup 2023 league-stage encounter against arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad on Saturday (October 14). 

The former Pakistan skipper believes Babar "should leave captaincy" and let someone else take over the mantle of the Asian Giants after the ongoing World Cup. Malik remarked Babar can be a listless captain when put under pressure and doesn't think outside the box in case 'Plan A' doesn't work. 

Malik, who had previously also criticised the national skipper for his decision-making and overall tactics, reinforced his longstanding belief in asking Babar to quit the captaincy job amidst the doom and gloom that Pakistan set-up faces following the seven-wicket mauling at the hands of Rohit Sharma & company. 


Malik's Quit Captaincy Suggestion To Babar Azam 

Babar came up for two-fold criticism for the one-sided loss versus the tournament hosts. The modern-day giant showcased encouraging signs of returning to his best form with a half-century but played a rather disappointing cut shot off a straight delivery from Mohammed Siraj to be dismissed bowled immediately after the milestone, which triggered a horrendous collapse. 

Babar then watched helplessly in the field as Rohit clobbered his much-vaunted pace attack and inexperienced spinners to all corners in the chase of 192 at the new stadium in Motera for a majestic 86 off 63 deliveries before a measured 53 not out from Shreyas Iyer took India home. 

Speaking for Pakistan-based 'A Sports', Malik felt the away captain came out looking clueless and couldn't figure out how to stop the Indian juggernaut when the team desperately required the skipper to unleash Plan B and break open the game. 

"I gave an opinion in the past as well that Babar Azam should leave captaincy. This is my personal opinion. Babar does not think out of the box as a captain. He is doing captaincy but the improvement is not coming. He can do wonders for Pakistan as a player."

Malik's comments echoed a sentiment felt by other prominent Pakistani experts, who have been fuming at the national skipper and continue to hold him responsible for the defeat. Giants like Wasim Akram were even critical of the national skipper sharing a heartening moment with legend Virat Kohli, who was gracious enough to give away a signed jersey to his batting counterpart.