Reports | Babar Azam likely to lose red-ball captaincy by next July, Saqlain Mushtaq also to step down
According to a report published by PTI, Babar Azam might be sacked as Pakistanâs Test captain by July next year after the recent whitewash against England. The report also added that their head coach Saqlain Mushtaq will step down from his role after the Test series against New Zealand in January.
Pakistanâs Test team has been going through a rough patch recently as they were whitewashed by England in a three-match Test series. They were criticized by many after the loss and Babar Azam might have to suffer the consequences of the result according to a report published by PTI. The report has revealed that Babar Azam might lose his captaincy by July next year as the Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) are not happy with the recent results.Â
A PCB source revealed that a high-level meeting was held with PCB chairman Ramiz Raza in which chief selector, Mohammad Wasim, also participated.Â
"A high-level meeting was held in the office of the PCB chairman Ramiz Raja at the Gaddafi Stadium in which chief selector, Mohammad Wasim also participated," PTI quoted the PCB source as saying.
Babar also became the first Pakistan captain to lose four successive home Tests in a calendar year after the Test series against England. PCB recently announced the squad for the New Zealand series and Babar was named as skipper but the scenario might change for the future series. The Test captaincy might be handed to Shan Masood or Mohammad Rizwan but the PCB doesnât want to take any step in that direction right now as the move might impact the morale of the team.Â
The source confirmed the development stating that Babar will be relieved of his duties in July.Â
"A lot of discussions has been held on Babar's future as Test captain and it was decided to maintain the status quo for now. But what is decided is that in July Babar will be changed as Test captain," he explained.Â
 Notably, according to several media reports, Ramiz Raja has been sacked as the chairman of the PCB and an official announcement might be on the cards very soon.