Pakistan’s star all-rounder Imad Wasim opened up about Babar Azam’s reappointment as the team’s white-ball captain. The cricketer mentioned that the entire Pakistan team was surprised by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, Babar Azam was removed from the position of the captain after the Pakistan National Team saw a major slump in their performance during the T20 World Cup 2023.
Following Babar’s dismissal, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was given the chance of leading the side in the limited-over format. However, Afridi’s stint as the team’s skipper didn’t last long as the side faced a humiliating 4-1 loss against New Zealand in the T20I skipper. Following Afridi’s snub, Azam was re-appointed as the team’s leader once again.
Yes, I was surprised; everybody was surprised: Imad Wasim on Babar Azam’s re-appointment as Pakistan’s skipper
Imad Wasim, who has a fair experience of playing under the captaincy of Babar Azam opened up on his re-appointment as team’s helm. Wasim spoke to Saj Sadiq, a Pakistan journalist, and revealed that he and everyone in the team was surprised with the selectors’ decision. He said, “Yes, I was surprised, but what can I say, it’s ultimately the selectors’ call, whatever they thought was the best option, they picked the team, they picked the captain, so yeah, I was surprised. Everybody was surprised, to be honest, not just me, but everyone in Pakistan as well. So, I can’t say no, but yes, I was surprised.”
Notably, even after Azam’s re-appointment, things didn’t change for the Men in Green as they have been facing disappointing losses. Pakistan registered a loss against the second-string New Zealand team. Following that, they went on to lose against Ireland, and England. Not only this, but they even had a poor campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024.