'Gracefully, Step Down' - Imad Wasim's Suggestion To Babar Azam

image-lotqfbfzBabar Azam has had doubts raised about his captaincy future (AP Photo)

Discarded all-rounder Imad Wasim became the latest name in the Pakistan cricket fraternity to pile on the scrutiny on national skipper Babar Azam after the team's pre-semifinal exit was nearly confirmed from the ICC World Cup 2023. 

Imad went to the extent of suggesting Babar should "gracefully step down" from his leadership post following the end of the marquee tournament in India. Speaking on Pakistan-based 'ARY News', Imad gave his remarks when asked to respond to the captain's assertion during a pre-match press interaction that he is open to all advice. 

When asked what advice and healthy suggestion would he give to Babar on the way forward if the captain called him on the phone, Imad said he would tell the skipper and his experienced teammate to quit the leadership mantle by humbly accepting the responsibility for the World Cup failure.


Imad suggests Babar to give-up captaincy 

Imad said it would be his advice to any skipper for Pakistan and in world cricket to relinquish captaincy gracefully and set an example for the leaders to follow, an opinion which co-panellists and now-retired pacers Mohammad Amir and Abdul Razzaq agreed with. 

"This is not just for Babar Azam but for all leaders, if your team fails to deliver, you should gracefully step down," said Imad Wasim. 

The scrutiny on Babar's leadership post has only risen with each Pakistani failure of the marquee competition. While the man at the helm has remained key to the batting unit and made 282 runs in his eight innings without quite producing his 'A' game, his captaincy has been subjected to extensive criticism by ousted peers and ex-cricketers. 

Babar maintained a brave face at the pre-match press conference in Kolkata ahead of the England clash but former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja revealed to 'SUNO NEWS' that when he met the skipper on the sidelines he found the man was "depressed" and "frustrated" by some of the nasty comments back home.