• Babar Azam reinstated as Pakistan's white-ball captain.

  • Babar replaced Shaheen Afridi as T20I skipper.

Fans go crazy as Babar Azam reclaims Pakistan captaincy ahead of T20 World Cup 2024
Babar Azam reappointed as Pakistan white-ball skipper (Image Source: Twitter)

In a move aimed at rejuvenating Pakistan’s white-ball cricket strategy, Babar Azam has been reinstated as the captain of the national team in limited-overs formats, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday (March 31). Babar, who relinquished his role as captain across all formats last year after Pakistan’s lacklustre performance in the ODI World Cup held in India, returns to lead the side ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision comes after a period of restructuring within the nation’s cricket board.

Shaheen Afridi’s brief stint comes to an end

Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi‘s stint as T20 skipper has been cut short after just one series at the helm. Despite being named captain with Mohammad Rizwan as his deputy, Afridi’s leadership failed to yield favorable results. Pakistan suffered a 4-1 defeat in Afridi’s debut series as captain, prompting the PCB to make a swift decision regarding the leadership role.

Afridi’s struggles extended beyond the international arena, with his franchise Lahore Qalandars enduring a dismal campaign in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, finishing at the bottom of the table with just one win out of ten matches.

Revamping performance with Babar Azam

The re-appointment of Babar reflects the PCB’s commitment to revitalize the team’s performance in white-ball cricket. With Babar’s proven leadership credentials and exemplary batting prowess, Pakistan aims to embark on a fresh trajectory under his captaincy, targeting success in upcoming series and tournaments.

Also READ: PCB relieves Shaheen Afridi of T20I captaincy and re-appoints Babar Azam as Pakistan skipper; also confirms schedule for Ireland tour

Social media buzz

Following the announcement of Babar’s reinstatement as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket teams, social media platforms erupted with a flurry of reactions from fans worldwide. Fans expressed a mix of excitement, optimism, and relief at the prospect of Babar’s return to leadership. Many hailed Babar as the right choice to steer Pakistan’s limited-overs campaigns, citing his remarkable batting prowess and calm demeanor on the field.

Here is how fans reacted:

Also READ: Former Pakistan bowler Umar Gul recalls his time with KKR and reveals the standout quality of Shah Rukh Khan

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