Babar Azam set to be sacked as Pakistan Captain, who will replace him?

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam is under huge pressure after their string of defeats in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan have suffered three consecutive defeats and their semifinal hopes are in jeopardy - which has ignited the media and fans in the country. From Ex-cricketers to supporters, people are demanding the axe of captain Babar Azam.

Pakistan's poor performance has different roots, and Babar Azam's lack of authority as a captain is being deemed one of the major roots. And it is looking likely that Babar's stint as captaincy is in its final days.

Pakistan Captain Options

The names of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are being thrown around as possible replacements for current captain Babar Azam, when Pakistan's national cricket team returns from the World Cup in India. They are aiming to start preparing for their immediate Australia tour and the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

It is becoming increasingly evident to the Pakistan Cricket Board that Babar has had ample opportunities to demonstrate his effectiveness in leadership, but has not lived up to expectations.

Despite having lost the most recent three matches, including the game against Afghanistan, Pakistan still has four league matches in the World Cup and remains in contention to reach the semi-finals.

"Only if Pakistan can stage a miracle and win all their remaining matches to qualify for the semi-finals of this World Cup does Babar stand any chance of surviving as captain and even then he might be relegated to skipper in just the red ball format," a source close to Pakistan cricket was quoted as saying by a Pakistani outlet.

The atmosphere has reportedly gone such sour that Babar may announce stepping down from his role if Pakistan fail to play in the semifinals.

The source also says that the Pakistan board is not happy with the current coaching staff and they may well be sacked after the World Cup.

"They are very bright chances that Pakistan will have a new coaching staff and captain when they embark on the Test tour of Australia and for the white ball series in New Zealand after the WC," the source added.