📌 Babar Azam’s Captaincy Under Fire
Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s finest modern batters, has been at the center of cricket debates for years. While his batting achievements are undeniable — being Pakistan’s most prolific run-getter in recent times — his captaincy continues to divide opinions.
Recently, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt openly questioned Babar’s leadership credentials, asking whether the stylish batter was ever a “natural leader.” This remark has reignited a long-standing debate in Pakistan cricket: Does being a world-class batsman automatically make someone a great captain?
In this blog, we’ll explore Butt’s comments, Babar’s captaincy record, Pakistan’s leadership struggles, and what the future might hold for the Men in Green.
🗣️ Salman Butt’s Remarks on Babar Azam
Salman Butt, who himself briefly captained Pakistan, was candid in his interview on a local sports platform. When asked whether Babar was a “born leader,” Butt responded:
“I don’t think so. I’ve been very clear from the time he became captain. Fair enough, he made it to the [T20 World Cup 2022] final and then the Asia Cup final, but it wasn’t his leadership that took us there.”
Butt highlighted how Pakistan’s progress in tournaments was often circumstantial rather than the result of strategic brilliance from Babar. He pointed to South Africa’s shock loss to the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup 2022, which paved the way for Pakistan’s entry into the finals, suggesting luck played a bigger role than leadership.
⚖️ Born Leader or Situational Captain?
The concept of a “born leader” in cricket is often debated. Legends like Imran Khan, MS Dhoni, and Ricky Ponting are often cited as natural leaders — individuals who not only commanded respect but also made bold decisions under pressure.
Butt’s criticism raises key questions:
- Does Babar inspire his team in the same way?
- Has his captaincy shown adaptability in crunch situations?
- Or is he more of a tactical follower rather than a strategic innovator?
📊 Babar Azam’s T20I Captaincy Record
To judge fairly, let’s look at the numbers:
- Matches as captain (T20Is): 85
- Wins: 48
- Losses: 29
- Winning percentage: ~56%
On paper, Babar’s record doesn’t look bad at all. He is Pakistan’s most-capped T20I captain and has led the team to major finals. However, critics argue that these numbers don’t reflect the quality of wins or the manner of losses.
For example, Pakistan under Babar often struggled in high-pressure matches against top-tier teams like India, England, and Australia. His reliance on personal form rather than bold tactical shifts is frequently questioned.
🌍 Comparing Babar with Other Captains
To put Babar’s captaincy into perspective, let’s compare him with other modern leaders:
- MS Dhoni (India): Renowned for calm decision-making and winning ICC trophies.
- Eoin Morgan (England): Transformed England’s white-ball cricket after 2015 World Cup disaster.
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Known for tactical brilliance and cool-headed leadership.
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): Brilliant batsman, but still searching for a distinct captaincy identity.
While Babar is a better batsman than many, his captaincy hasn’t yet carved out the same legendary status.
🔄 Pakistan’s Leadership Shuffle
Pakistan cricket is no stranger to leadership controversies. Since 2019, captaincy has changed hands multiple times:
- 🏏 2019–2023: Babar Azam led across formats.
- ⚡ 2023: After World Cup failure, he stepped down.
- 🔥 Shaheen Afridi became T20I captain; Shan Masood was made Test captain.
- 🎯 2024: Babar was reinstated as white-ball captain.
- ❌ 2024 T20 World Cup flop: Mohammad Rizwan replaced him as T20I skipper.
This frequent chopping and changing reflects Pakistan’s struggle to find long-term leadership stability.
🧠 The Criticism of Data-Driven Captaincy
Another key point Butt raised was Pakistan’s growing reliance on statisticians and data analysts.
“You can’t have a captain who goes onto the pitch and says, ‘The statistician will tell me what happened in the last 10 matches, and after winning the toss, I’ll decide whether to bat first or chase based on those numbers,’” Butt argued.
This criticism mirrors concerns worldwide about the balance between instinctive captaincy and data-driven strategies. While analytics can support decisions, true leaders often rely on instinct, situational awareness, and team morale.
⚡ Shadab Khan as a Captaincy Candidate?
When asked about possible replacements for Babar, Butt mentioned Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s long-time vice-captain. And currently Salam Ali Agha leading Pakistan side in T20's .
However, Butt noted the irony: Pakistan has a history of keeping players in “permanent vice-captaincy” roles without ever promoting them. Shadab, despite years of experience, hasn’t been entrusted with consistent leadership — a reflection of PCB’s indecisiveness.
📉 Babar Azam’s Recent Struggles
Apart from captaincy issues, Babar’s personal form has also declined:
- He was dropped from consecutive T20I series against New Zealand (March 2025) and Bangladesh.
- His last T20I appearance came in December 2024 vs South Africa.
- Once considered Pakistan’s most reliable run-scorer, he now faces stiff competition to retain his place in the XI.
This decline in form, combined with captaincy instability, has magnified scrutiny on his overall cricketing future.
🔎 The Bigger Picture: Pakistan’s Leadership Crisis
Salman Butt’s comments may sound harsh, but they reflect a broader issue in Pakistan cricket: the lack of a clear leadership vision. Over the past two decades, Pakistan has cycled through numerous captains without establishing long-term stability.
Unlike India (Dhoni → Kohli → Rohit) or Australia (Ponting → Clarke → Smith), Pakistan’s transitions are often abrupt and politically influenced. This inconsistency affects player confidence and team performance.
📢 Fan Reactions and Media Debates
Cricket fans in Pakistan are divided on this issue:
- Supporters argue that Babar deserves more time and that he is unfairly targeted due to PCB politics.
- Critics insist that his leadership lacks spark and that new blood should be given a chance.
- Social media hashtags like #BabarAzam, #PakistanCricket, and #LeadershipDebate frequently trend after every match.
🚀 The Way Forward
For Pakistan to move ahead, some key steps are crucial:
- Clear Captaincy Roadmap – Decide long-term leaders instead of frequent changes.
- Leadership Grooming – Invest in young players with leadership potential (e.g., Shaheen, Rizwan, Shadab).
- Form vs Captaincy Balance – Ensure captaincy doesn’t compromise personal batting form.
- Instinctive Leadership – Encourage captains to trust their gut, not just data sheets.
📝 Cricketory Insight:
Babar Azam’s leadership is under the microscope once again after Salman Butt’s blunt remarks questioning whether the star batter was ever a “natural leader.” While his batting brilliance remains unquestionable, Pakistan’s lack of consistency under his captaincy fuels the debate. With frequent captaincy shuffles and Babar’s own dip in form, Pakistan cricket faces a leadership identity crisis. The big question now is — will Babar silence critics with a strong comeback, or is it time for a new era of captaincy in Pakistan?📝 Conclusion
Salman Butt’s comments have once again highlighted the fragility of leadership in Pakistan cricket. Whether one agrees with him or not, the truth is that Babar Azam’s captaincy journey has been inconsistent and controversial.
He remains Pakistan’s batting superstar, but whether he can ever be remembered as a great leader is still uncertain. For now, Pakistan must look beyond personalities and build a leadership structure that ensures stability, confidence, and long-term success.