Former Pakistan skipper criticises Babar Azam's leadership and believes he should leave captaincy

Pakistan are in decent form as they have won two out of their three matches in the ODI World Cup 2023. But after their humiliating loss against arch-rivals India, the Babar Azam-led side has come under scrutiny. Former players and experts have criticised the side and the skipper as well. Now, Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has raised questions over Babar Azam's captaincy. He has advised Babar to quit captaincy and focus only on his batting. 

This advice comes after the embarrassing loss against India on October 14, at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Ahmedabad. Malik believes that the 29-year-old batter does not think anything 'out of the box' as is traditional in his captaincy and it is the biggest problem in his leadership skillset. Though the skipper is currently the No.1 ODI batter he is yet to prove his captaincy in under-pressure matches. 

Babar scored a half-century in the marquee match and stitched a partnership with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan of 96 runs. But as soon both the batters departed, from 155/2 they were reduced to 191/10. The middle and lower order of Pakistan had no answer to India's bowling department. 

I have already said this in previous interviews that Babar should leave captaincy: Shoaib Malik

The former Pakistan skipper said on A-Sports, "Look, I will give you my honest opinion on this. I have already said this in previous interviews that Babar should leave captaincy, it is just my opinion but there's a lot of homework behind it. Babar, as a player, can do wonders for himself as well as the team, It is my personal opinion and that is not because we lost the game today (against India) or we lost by a big margin, no it (my opinion) is not built on that." 

He further added, "I think that Babar, as a leader, doesn't think out of the box. One shouldn't mix his leadership with his batting skills as they both are different. He has been a captain for a long time now, but he hasn't been able to improve himself. Shaheen Afridi should become captain in white ball cricket in case Babar Azam resigns. He has done an attacking captaincy for Lahore Qalandars."

Pakistan will face Australia on October 20 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.