Cricket for Pakistanis is no less sacrosanct — because this is what we have for entertainment, this is all that we have for entertainment. The passion and love for the game from the common people has helped cricket survive in the country amidst the dark times of forced exile following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.
Pakistan team to cricket is what spice is to biryani. Pakistan is the soul of the game of cricket. Pakistan is the anomaly that some hate while others love as they are the true embodiment of cricket’s main essence, unpredictability.
As the performance of the team, the mood of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also unpredictable. Sometimes the best domestic performers do not get a chance in the national team, and sometimes any average player is included.
Captaincy is also a major issue for the Pakistan cricket team. After Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, the national cricket team is still looking for a permanent captain. Many players have been appointed captaincy more than once but didn’t perform.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to hand over the Test captaincy to Babar Azam, who is currently making Pakistan proud in the cricketing world. However, the right-handed batsman is already leading T20 and ODI side. At the moment, Babar has been a familiar name at the top of the Twenty20 batting table and was currently the only one in the top five of all three formats.
Some critics claimed that putting the burden of all three formats on Babar Azam will affect his personal performance. But in reality, Indian captain Virat Kohli and New Zealand’s Ken Williamson are currently leading their teams in all three formats.
Pakistan does not currently have a player to be appointed as the Test Captain, who leads from the front. Babar Azam has captivated the world with his talents in just five years since he started his international career in 2015.
After being appointed as the captain of all three formats, Babar Azam will have to learn the mysteries of the game under pressure, when and where to use which player, and how to attack the opposing team in an aggressive environment. In today’s fast-paced cricket, one of your decisions can lead to defeat and victory and unfortunately, Babar will have to learn it all himself.
Babar Azam has a long way to go to become a successful captain. He has to face the pressing questions of the journalists after a defeat and to encourage the player who will become the man of the match after the victory.
The World Cup is going to be held next year in India, Pakistan have to prepare for this World Cup now and in this one year, the team should have the best players in all formats.
In hindsight, we have rarely seen a good player provide the team with a better alternative. Along with leading the national team, Babar Azam has to prepare upcoming players so that he can be remembered as a good captain.
