Pakistan legend Younis Khan names a surprising pick to replace Babar Azam as T20I captain

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Following Pakistan‘s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, former Pakistan batter Younis Khan has made a stunning suggestion for the crew’s future captain. Pakistan’s efficiency within the match was disappointing, with gut-wrenching defeats to the USA and India within the group stage, adopted by victories in opposition to Canada and Eire. Nevertheless, these wins got here too late, and Pakistan did not advance to the Tremendous Eight stage, prompting questions concerning the management.

Babar Azam’s management beneath scrutiny

Babar Azam, who had beforehand led Pakistan to the semi-finals and finals of the T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, confronted criticism for the crew’s lack of cohesion and creativity in the course of the present version. His management has come beneath intense scrutiny, with calls from the cricket fraternity for him to get replaced as captain. This isn’t the primary time Babar has confronted such strain; he stepped down from the captaincy in all codecs after Pakistan’s failure within the ODI World Cup 2023, solely to return to the function earlier this 12 months.

Contenders for captaincy of Pakistan in T20I

A number of names have been floated as potential replacements for Babar. Shaheen Afridi, who briefly held the T20I captaincy final 12 months, is a favourite. However, he was eliminated after a 4-1 sequence defeat to New Zealand. Mohammad Rizwan is one other robust contender, having led the Multan Sultans to 1 Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) title and three finals.

Additionally READ: Sanjay Manjrekar, Harbhajan Singh explain why the USA qualified ahead of Pakistan for Super 8 | T20 World Cup 2024

Younis Khan’s shock alternative

In a stunning twist, Younis Khan, Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup-winning captain, has recommended Fakhar Zaman as the perfect alternative for Babar. Talking on the Recreation present on PTV Sports activities, Younis praised Fakhar for his selflessness and adaptableness, notably highlighting his function in turning round Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 marketing campaign. Younis famous Fakhar’s willingness to sacrifice his most popular opening spot to bat at quantity 4 for the crew’s profit.

“Why can’t Fakhar Zaman be the captain of the aspect isn’t he a performer? Didn’t he do properly within the final 50-over World Cup? Who’s that one participant who gave us hope? Zaman began the 2023 World Cup in India poorly nevertheless, within the second half turned his type round which coincided with Pakistan’s success. His blistering begins on the prime stored Pakistan in rivalry nevertheless, it was too little too late for them to go additional within the match,” Younis mentioned.

“Who’s that one participant within the aspect who’s leaving his opening slot and batting down at 4 or 5 or 6? Who’s sacrificing his place? Fakhar Zaman! Why gained’t you make him the captain?,” Younis concluded.

Replacements’ credentials

Regardless of by no means having captained Pakistan in his seven-year worldwide profession, Fakhar’s management qualities and team-first angle have impressed Younis. Nonetheless, Fakhar endured a dismal marketing campaign in 2024 version, scoring solely 33 runs at a mean of 8.25 and a strike price of 110 in 4 video games.