The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Babar Azam as the captain of the national team for the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand. PCB management committee chairman, Najam Sethi, consulted with the team’s potential consultant, Mickey Arthur, before making the appointment. Sethi revealed that Arthur would play a significant role in deciding the leadership of the team going forward.
“I asked Mickey, do you want one captain or two captains for the New Zealand series? After consulting with him, we decided on having one captain for the white-ball format. I told him, when you will come, you can sit with Babar and then decide from there onwards,” Sethi said.
Sethi also sought Arthur’s approval regarding the appointment of some selectors. The PCB will sign a one-year contract initially, and Arthur will be with the Pakistan cricket team for the Asia Cup and the 2023 World Cup.
“As long as Babar is a successful batsman and a successful captain, he will remain captain. If you continue to lose series, people will start questioning your captaincy and other qualities,” he said.
Sethi further confirmed that Babar will lead the team in the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand, putting an end to the speculations doing the rounds recently on media regarding the captaincy and selection of certain players.
The PCB has been in the news recently due to its decision to appoint a new coach and captain for the national team. The board has appointed former South African coach Mickey Arthur as the team’s consultant, while Babar Azam has been appointed as the captain for the limited-overs format.
This decision has been met with mixed reactions from fans and experts. While some believe that Babar is the right man for the job, others have questioned his experience and leadership qualities. However, the PCB has made it clear that Babar will remain captain as long as he continues to perform and win games for Pakistan.
The appointment of Mickey Arthur as the consultant is also a step in the right direction for Pakistan cricket. Arthur has a wealth of experience as a coach, having previously coached the South African and Australian cricket teams. He is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Pakistan cricket team and help them improve their performance in international cricket.
The appointment of Babar Azam as the captain and Mickey Arthur as the consultant is a positive step for Pakistan cricket. The team has been struggling in recent times, and this move is expected to help them improve their performance and regain their position as one of the top cricketing nations in the world.