Babar Azam has to become a leader like Virat Kohli rather than just being a captain: Rashid Latif

Babar Azam was recently handed the responsibility of leading the Pakistan cricket team across all three formats of the game. Former Pakistan captain and coach Rashid Latif believes that just being the captain on the field doesn’t matter as to continue his stint as a captain for long, Babar needs to become a leader like Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Rashid reckoned that Kohli is respected on and off the field as over the years he has maintained his stature as a batsman and leader.

The former captain advised Babar to learn from his counterpart Kohli to stand up for the players during their bad times and make out of the box decisions without caring about the criticism and bashing. Also, Rashid asserted that the Pakistan skipper needs to maintain a balance between his role as a captain and batsman so that it doesn’t affect his personal performance and he can continue donning the captain hat for the Men in Green.

Rashid told a Pakistani YouTube channel, “I think Babar has to become a leader like Virat rather than just being a captain of the team. Virat has developed into a leader and in cricket and sports, when you are made the captain, you have to become a leader and by that, I mean you have to be respected on and off the field.”

Babar Azam is an introvert but he is mentally very strong: Rashid Latif

“You have to stand up for your players and you have to take the hard and out of box decisions. You look at Virat today and he is a complete leader and his own stature as a batsman has also helped a lot. But you can see in the attitude of the Indian team and their selection, Virat has his say in everything.” he added.

Further, Latif also heaped praises on Azam saying that he has also the qualities of becoming a good leader for the team. Also, the veteran believes that though Babar is an introvert, he is mentally very strong and has a good game awareness.

“I think Babar is also on the right path and I felt he had his input in the squad selected for the New Zealand tour. I think Babar because of his exceptional batting talents has the makings of a good leader. He may seem meek and an introvert but he is mentally very strong and has game awareness and you can see this in his batting.” Rashid Latif concluded.