World Cup 2023: Babar Azam captaincy under threat due to this 'influential' PSL franchise, hints Harsha Bhogle

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam is under a lot of pressure at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 as the Men in Green lost four consecutive games and are staring at an early exit from the title run. This has led to fierce criticism back home while news of a change in captaincy is also making rounds.

Reputed commentator Harsha Bhogle hinted that an "influential" PSL franchise is behind such news, who have their own agenda of pushing their own star player as the new captain. Speaking on Cricbuzz during the pre-match show of Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Bhogle felt the Pak captain was treated with a lot of disrespect.

The 62-year-old cricket analyst made the strong claims while agreeing with former England captain Michael Vaughan on the show, who expressed his utter dismay at reports leaking from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that Babar Azam won't continue as the captain midway through the ICC World Cup 2023.

"I just don't like the lack of respect that Babar Azam is being shown," said Vaughan "I think it's a disgrace that these stories are being leaked that Shaheen Afridi is going to be the next captain."

"Babar Azam is a wonderful player, he has been fantastic for Pakistan and for the world game. We are seeing these stories about changing the captain during the World Cup; leave it till the end. If this is after the World Cup that you don't think he's good as a captain then there's absolutely no problem."

Harsha Bhogle agreed with Michael Vaughan and added that Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars, owned by businessman Fawad Rana and captained by Shaheen Afridi, could be behind all these gossips of change in captaincy for Pakistan. Shaheen has led Lahore Qalandars to back-to-back PSL titles in 2022 and 2023.

"Michael is absolutely right, they (PCB) haven't treated Babar Azam well at all," said Bhogle. "Lahore Qalandars are an influential franchise, so you can see where all the noises are coming from. It's not that Shaheen may become a very good captain for all that you know but he is very injury prone and has a lot of bowling to do.

"Jury is out with Pat Cummins as a captain but let's wait till the tournament is over. What if Pakistan win the next three games and New Zealand capsize and suddenly Pakistan are in the semifinal, does that make Babar Azam a good captain and Shaheen Afridi no longer a contender?"

Harsha Bhogle further added that Babar Azam is an exceptional talent and is exactly the quality batter Pakistan need against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where the two nations are currently facing off in a crucial game to stay relevant in the ICC World Cup 2023.

"We used to always talk about the big four and the big four is always Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. And I think over the last four years he (Babar Azam) said no, he's not only big five but in big four, he has knocked somebody out. On this Kolkata pitch, the ball is going to turn and you need a batter like him to win the game," Bhogle said.