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'Quit Captaincy' - Former Pakistan Cricketers Call For Babar Azam To Resign

image-loxughlzBabar Azam continues to fake the flak for Pakistan's exit (Twitter)

Pressure continues to rise on Babar Azam to relinquish captaincy in the aftermath of Pakistan's disappointing pre-semifinal exit at the ICC World Cup 2023. Fans and prominent experts have been gunning for the modern-day giant's head following his team's lacklustre campaign, where the 1992 champions could muster just four victories in nine league matches. 

Joining the bandwagon in favour of Babar calling it quits, former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal felt the time is ripe for the Pakistan captain to revisit his future plans and reconsider if he can continue with extra load and pressure on his shoulders.

Malik, who had historically denounced appointing Babar the captain when he required space to grow as a force with the bat at the international stage, reinforced his longstanding stance on the matter and said Pakistan require their key player to be performing to his level best rather than feeling burdened by leadership.

Former Pakistan Cricketers Ask Babar Azam To Resign 

"I am not against Babar but he has to decide after looking at his performances as a player and captain whether he can continue to take the pressure of both," Malik was quoted as saying by PTI.

"I think we need Babar more as a player. As a captain, he has got his chances to show his worth. Unfortunately, he didn't come through," he added. 

While voices inside the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remain in favour of Babar being given the opportunity to rebuild the side for next World Cup in 2027, Razzaq said four years is a long time to assess the captaincy qualities of any player and reckoned Pakistan need a change at the top. 

"I have always said this, if you are honest and sincere in your decisions as captain, things will work out accordingly. Unfortunately, he has made some wrong calls and that is the reason for our poor performance in the World Cup," he said. 

For Kamran, Babar isn't the one who should carry the mantle of the side in the near future. He also opined Pakistan should opt for a split-captaincy model for Test and limited-overs cricket with different leaders coming to the fore.