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Former Pakistan batter Younis Khan wondered why attacking stroke-maker Fakhan Zaman couldn't be the next T20I captain in place of Babar Azam. The comments came after Pakistan made an early exit in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
The Men in Green suffered gut-wrenching defeats to the USA and India in the group stage before winning against Canada and Ireland. However, it was too little too late as Pakistan finished outside the top two and bowed out of the tournament even before the Super Eight stage.
Following their embarrassing ouster, questions have been asked about continuing with Babar as the T20I captain. While the champion cricketer led Pakistan to the semi-final and final in the previous two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, they lacked cohesion and creativity during the current edition.
Speaking on the Game show on PTV Sports, Younis praised Fakhar for turning around Pakistan's 2023 ODI World Cup campaign and relinquishing his opening spot in the T20I side.
"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? Zaman started the 2023 World Cup in India poorly however, in the second half turned his form around which coincided with Pakistan’s success. His blistering starts at the top kept Pakistan in contention however, it was too little too late for them to go further in the tournament," said Younis.
He added:
"Who is that one player in the side who is leaving his opening slot and batting down at four or five or six? Who is sacrificing his place? Fakhar Zaman! Why won’t you make him the captain?"
Fakhar Zaman has never captained Pakistan in his seven-year international career. He endured a dismal 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, scoring only 33 runs at an average of 8.25 and a strike rate of 110 in four games.
"It is eventually PCB's decision" - Babar Azam on Pakistan captaincy
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam stated the captaincy decision will be made by the board (PCB) after the side's disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
The 29-year-old relinquished captaincy in all three formats after a horrific 2023 ODI World Cup before being reinstated at the helm in white-ball cricket earlier this year.
Following their final outing against Ireland, Babar said at the press conference:
"When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn't be doing it now, that's why I left it and I announced it myself. Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB's decision."
Babar Azam has been among Pakistan's most successful captains, winning 84 out of 148 games across formats.
