Babar wanted Dickwella as Colombo Strikers' captain, it was a very simple process for us after that: Head Coach Simon Helmot

Pakistan cricket's superstar Babar Azam chose not to take the captaincy role for Colombo Strikers in the ongoing 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL). Instead, he opted to focus solely on his batting. This decision, revealed by skipper Niroshan Dickwella and head coach Simon Helmot, has stirred discussions among cricket enthusiasts.

Babar Azam, hailed as one of the modern-day greats, displayed his class with a century in a recent high-pressure chase as he became only the second player to score at least 10 T20 centuries.

Babar had to choose between two leagues- the Lanka Premiere League and the Global T20 League, and eventually, he decided to play in the LPL 2023 keeping in mind that the World Cup is going to be played in Asian conditions. His father played a pivotal role in convincing him, citing the similarity between Sri Lankan wickets and those expected in the upcoming World Cup in India.

With a staggering 235 runs in five innings, Babar has asserted his dominance on the run-scorers leaderboard. His standout performances have enabled him to take the top spot, placing him ahead of contenders like Tim Seifert. Notably, Babar is the only player to have scored a century in the league this season.

It's evident that Babar's influence extends beyond his batting prowess. The skipper's decision to endorse Niroshan Dickwella as the captain showcased his collaborative spirit and dedication to the team's success. 

“Babar wanted Dickwella as the captain, and it was a very, very simple process for us after that. He’s so collaborative. He [Babar] looks after people, whether it is emotionally, mentally or technically. He is a great asset to have as a support mechanism on the side,” Helmot told Wisden in an interview.

He’s helping me throughout the innings and we always make decisions together: Dickwella

Dickwella, who hadn't captained frequently, welcomed the responsibility. He expressed admiration for Babar's approach and emphasized their shared decision-making process. Dickwella's newfound captaincy role was not without challenges, but he emphasized the importance of maintaining simplicity and not succumbing to intimidation.

"I’m enjoying my responsibility, especially in the middle with Babar. He’s helping me throughout the innings and we always make decisions together. We both think in the same way. At the end of the day, I get ideas from everyone and then I try and make the right decision, according to what I feel. Just keep it simple," Dickwella said.