After a disappointing performance, these Pakistani players can replace Pakistan captain Babar Azam, there is a lot of discussion going on!

PC: ICC Cricket World Cup

Pakistan cricket seems to be going through significant upheaval, with talk gaining momentum over Babar Azam's replacement as captain. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are emerging as the leading contenders for the role. After the team's disappointing performance in the World Cup, the pressure on Babar Azam has increased and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking for new leadership.

As Pakistan prepares for the challenging tour of Australia after the World Cup and prepares for the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the PCB is considering possible changes in captaincy for different formats. While Sarfaraz is likely to lead the Test and ODI teams, Shaheen may be given the T20 captaincy.

The discussion over replacement indicates growing dissatisfaction with Azam's leadership. Despite advice from former captains such as Misbah ul Haq and Muhammad Hafeez to make necessary changes for the Asia Cup and World Cup, Babar reportedly maintained complete control over team selection, leading to criticism in the wake of Pakistan's recent defeats. The PCB chairman's decision to retain Babar's preferences further increased the discontent within the board.

Additionally, the support staff, which includes notable names like Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, Morne Merkle, Andrew Puttick, and manager Rehan Ul Haq are also under scrutiny, hinting at their possible replacement after the World Cup. Despite the board publicly denying these claims, reports of internal disputes within the team have raised concerns for the PCB.

Babar Azam, who was initially appointed as the T20 captain in late 2019, eventually took on the leadership role in all three formats until 2021. However, recent disappointing performances have raised doubts over his ability to run the team effectively, leading to discussions about his future.