'Babar Azam might be asked to step down or could take the decision himself' - Rashid Latif on skipper's ODI captaincy

Pakistan’s horrible showing against a second-string England side has created quite a stir among experts, critics and fans. The team was blanked 0:3 in the ODI series and many former Pakistan cricketers questioned teams’ selection during the series.

While Babar Azam as a leader and the batter performed well, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif feels Azam could step down as the leader in ODI format due to the team’s dismal show in the recent ODI series.

Although Azam is ranked number in the ICC rankings for the ODIs, he copped a fair bit of criticism for not leading the team well against a weakened England side in the ODI format. Add to that Azam is also leading Pakistan in all three formats and this could take a toll on him, feels Latif.

Pakistan started well in the T20 format by winning the first match against England. Azam scored 85 and took the team to its highest-ever T20I score. But it’s in the ODIs that he needs to bounce back and Azam has the chance to do that in the ODI series against West Indies. Latif feels this series could decide if Azam will continue as the skipper.

“Babar Azam has the team’s support but not the support as far as performances are concerned in this [England ODI] series. They won their previous few series. Here they have given very bad performances but we will still give margin to Babar. This T20 series and the upcoming tour of the West Indies is crucial for Babar’s captaincy,” said Latif on the Cricket Baaz YouTube channel.

Rashid Latif reckons the ODI series against West Indies will decide the fate of Babar Azam as the captain

Latif further opined that Azam and Pakistan’s performance during the ODI series against WI could well decide if he will continue as the leader in the format. If Pakistan loses the three-match series, then Azam will come under the scanner.

“I think if it goes south, Babar might have to relinquish the captaincy after the West Indies series to preserve his own performances. I think he might be asked to step down or he could make the decision himself if they fail miserably in the series against West Indies”.