Pakistan cricket is once again at a leadership crossroads, with reports emerging that the team is considering bringing Babar Azam back as Test captain following their disappointing 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the opening Test in Dhaka.
The loss has intensified scrutiny on current captain Shan Masood, who has struggled both as a leader and with the bat since taking the reins in December 2023. Under his captaincy, Pakistan have suffered 11 losses in 15 Test matches—a record that has sparked urgent discussions within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
According to sources, influential PCB figures believe "this is the right time" to hand Babar another opportunity to lead the Test side. The former all-format captain missed the first Test against Bangladesh due to a knee injury but is expected to return for the second Test starting May 18. His potential comeback could mark a significant shift in Pakistan's leadership structure for the remainder of the World Test Championship cycle, with seven Tests still on the calendar this year.
The buzz goes beyond just Test cricket. Reports suggest the long-term plan is to first reinstate Babar as Test captain, then gradually prepare him to take over the ODI captaincy ahead of next year's World Cup. This strategic move comes after Babar stepped down from the ODI captaincy following the 2023 World Cup in India and briefly returned as T20 captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup before resigning again after a poor campaign.
Interestingly, all three of Pakistan's current format captains—Shaheen Shah Afridi (ODI), Salman Ali Agha (T20I), and Masood (Test)—are part of the ongoing Bangladesh tour. This unique situation has fueled speculation about a potential leadership reshuffle, with sources indicating that Babar is "not averse to becoming captain again" if he regains his batting form in the second Test.
For cricket fans and gear enthusiasts alike, this leadership saga adds another layer of intrigue to Pakistan's Test campaign. Whether Babar's return can steady the ship remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Pakistan cricket is betting on its star batsman to lead them through turbulent times.