Star batter Babar Azam is reportedly set to return to a leadership role. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has approved the move after recommendations from the selection committee. According to sources, the formal announcement could come today or Monday. Therefore, the Babar Azam Test captain appointment appears imminent.
If confirmed, it would mark another major turn in Pakistan’s captaincy cycle. The PCB first appointed Babar as all-format captain in 2020. However, he stepped down from the role in 2023. Subsequently, officials brought him back as white-ball captain in March 2024. He then resigned from that position in October 2024. His expected appointment as Babar Azam Test captain in 2026 would make it his third spell in a top leadership role for Pakistan.
The move comes after Shan Masood’s difficult run as Test captain. Since taking charge in late 2023, Pakistan managed just two wins in 16 Tests. Additionally, the team suffered a 0-2 series defeat to Bangladesh in May. So Pakistan’s Test cricket has struggled significantly under Masood’s leadership.
Babar’s supporters within the board view him as a safer long-term option in red-ball cricket. His previous captaincy record provides strong evidence. Between 2020 and 2023, he led Pakistan in 20 Tests and won 10 of them. Notably, he achieved a rare away series victory in Sri Lanka during this period. Therefore, his Test captaincy credentials appear solid based on historical performance.
However, the likely decision comes at a time when Babar Azam’s own batting form faces scrutiny. His recent Test average has reportedly fallen below 25. Additionally, critics question whether form decline will impact his captaincy effectiveness. So the appointment raises both optimism and concern simultaneously.
The board appears to lean toward experience and stability going forward. Officials aim to reset the Test side after another disappointing stretch. If the Babar Azam Test captain announcement comes through, he will once again find himself at the center of Pakistan cricket’s leadership debate. Therefore, his captaincy appointment will generate significant discussion among fans and analysts. Finally, the formal announcement should clarify the PCB’s strategic direction for Test cricket.
