Babar Azam needs to become a leader and he can only become one when he engages with youngsters: Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja has recently shared his views about current Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s style of captaincy. Azam was made an all-format captain in the month of December 2020 as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was impressed and convinced of his leadership credentials. The elegant right-hand batter’s previous captaincy experience was with the Under-19 team in the year 2012.

Raja, a World Cup winner, has observed many Pakistani leaders of the past including the likes of Imran Khan, Inzamam-ul Haq, and Misbah-ul-Haq, and has given his opinion on Azam as well. The 25-year-old Pakistani skipper has had a bright start to his captaincy career as he has won four Test matches and has won two ODI and T20I series.

Babar Azam needs to communicate more with his players: Ramiz Raja

Raja, who is known to be assertive and straightforward with his comments, has not minced his words while stating that Azam should be more flexible in his approach. “Babar Azam needs to become a leader and he can only become a leader when engages with the youngsters. He will only become a leader when he takes actions in accordance with long-term planning. We take one step forward and play two new players but also play four older players,” Raja said as reported by India News.

He also shared that as a leader Azam should learn and evolve with each passing day and should also get the best of the players. “He needs to understand that if he wants to become a good leader, he must, one, learn to take chances. Two, improve the selection, and three, observe how the modern leadership functions.”

Raja also wants the Pakistan management to be clearer and more precise, so that the team moves in the correct direction and wins more matches going ahead.

“There is a lot of confusion because the roles are not defined. When you lose, there is a lot of chopping in the dressing room. We need to control the mood swings and everyone needs to understand the direction, especially Babar Azam,” he said during the interview.

Pakistan’s next assignment is a tour to Caribbean island, which will comprise of five T20 matches and two Test matches.