Not Shaheen Or Rizwan! Younis Khan Calls For 34-Year-Old Star To Replace Babar Azam As Pakistan Captain

18/06/2024

not shaheen or rizwan! younis khan calls for fakhar zaman star to replace babar azam as pakistan captain

Just a couple of months after being re-appointed as Pakistan captain, Babar Azam's position is under major threat following the Men in Green's humilating group stage exit in the 2024 T20 World Cup as the United States of America and India (USA) pipped them for a Super 8 spot.

The 2022 runner-up found themselves on the other side of arguably the greatest upset in cricket history as co-hosts the United States of America (USA) defeated them in a super over. Later, Pakistan bottled a golden chance to defeat arch-rivals India and suffered a six-run defeat. Victories over Canada and Ireland were not enough for the Babar-led outfit.

As Pakistan cricket hits a new low, there are calls from the cricket fraternity to outst him as captain once again. For those unversed, Babar had stepped down from the top job in all three formats after Pakistan's failure to reach the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup but returned to the role earlier this year.

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Pakistan Legend Shahid Afridi Suggests New Position For Babar Azam After Pakistan's 6-Run Loss To India

Shaheen Afridi is a favorite to become Pakistan captain, having been named T20I captain last year only to be removed after Pakistan's 4-1 defeat away to New Zealand. Mohammad Rizwan is another top contender, as he has led the Multan Sultans to one Pakistan Super League (PSL) title and three more finals.

However, Pakistan's 2009 T20 World Cup-winning captain, Younis Khan, has thrown a curve ball and picked Fakhar Zaman as the ideal contender to replace Babar. Younis pointed out how Fakhar has been the one player who has sacrificed his batting position and gone from opening the batting to playing at number four in the interest of the team.

"Why can’t Fakhar Zaman be the captain of the side, isn’t he a performer? Didn’t he do well in the last 50-over World Cup? Who is that one player who gave us hope? Who is the player who is leaving his opening spot and going to number four and five?," said Younis on PTV Sports.

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Fakhar also had an underwhelming campaign with the bat, as he made just 33 runs in four games in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Overall, Fakhar has played three Tests, 82 ODIs, and 92 T20Is for Pakistan and made 192, 3492, and 1848 runs in the three formats. He was Pakistan's hero in the 2017 Champions Trophy final victory with a century against India.

Pakistan have a big decision to make on captaincy with the 2025 Champions Trophy on home soil just months away.

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