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What If... Babar Azam Is Removed As Pakistan Captain After World Cup 2023?

image-lo5gz57cBabar Azam has received massive backlash for his captaincy [AP]

Hailed for the ability to punch above their weight on big occasions, Pakistan have had a miserable run in the ongoing World Cup in India. Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan started their World Cup campaign on a positive note, securing massive wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. But since moving away from Hyderabad, the Men in Green have had nothing to cheer about, incurring three crushing defeats on the trot. 

Considering they have only four matches, each being a do-or-die face-off, we wonder if Pakistan will make it into the playoffs. If they don't, then Babar Azam might lose captaincy, as he has been severely scrutinised for his tactical shortcomings in the marquee event. 

So, if Babar's captaincy stint ends, how will it change the dynamics of Pakistan cricket? 


Shaheen Afridi will lead Pakistan

image-lo5h1lioShaheen Afridi could succeed Babar Azam [AP]

Although Shadab Khan is Pakistan's current vice-captain, his volatile form, both with bat and ball, makes him an irregular in the playing XI. So, making him the captain could be a blunder, which Pakistan can't afford to commit after the World Cup. 

In such a scenario, ace speedster Shaheen Afridi emerges as the front-runner to lead Pakistan. He has been a consistent performer with the ball and has led Lahore Qalandars to the title in the PSL. So, he is well-prepared to succeed Babar as Pakistan's skipper going forward. 


Several fresh faces will get in

image-lo5h34z5Saim Ayub has been a consistent performer with the bat [X.com]

If Pakistan suffer a group-stage exit from the World Cup, several non-performing players will be axed, with promising talents replacing them. 

Being the best two batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will likely be persisted with, but Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Haris and Hasan Ali could be dropped, with the likes of Saim Ayub, Haseebullah and Zaman Khan etc. coming into the scheme of things. 


Lobbying leading to internal rift?

If Pakistan change their skipper, it might lead to the formation of different lobbies inside the dressing room. Such a condition might further lead to internal rifts between the players, which will certainly affect their on-field performance in the all-important Australia tour.

So, it will be a massive challenge for Babar's successor to create a secure environment in the dressing room so that they can step up together as a team and revive Pakistan cricket.