Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has restored Babar Azam as the captain of the national Test side ahead of the challenging tours of the West Indies and England, with selector Aqib Javed revealing that the decision was reached unanimously after extensive discussions. The move marks Babar’s return to Test leadership after Shan Masood was replaced, while former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has also thrown his support behind the appointment, insisting the star batter remains indispensable across all three formats of the game.

Aqib Javed explains the selection committee’s decision of re-appointing Babar Azam as Test captain

Addressing the media at Gaddafi Stadium after the PCB officially announced the leadership change, Aqib explained that the selectors carefully evaluated every possible option before recommending Babar Azam as the ideal candidate to lead the Test side.

According to Aqib, the committee’s primary objective was to identify the player best suited to guide Pakistan in the longest format during two demanding overseas tours. He stressed that although several aspects were debated during the meeting, the panel ultimately reached complete agreement on one name.

“The selection committee sat down and held detailed discussions. They assessed which player could prove to be the best captain in Test cricket. There were many discussions, but the selection committee made only one recommendation, and that was Babar Azam. That’s it,” Aqib said as quoted by GeosuperTV.

Babar’s appointment marks a return to familiar territory after he previously captained Pakistan in Test cricket from 2020 to 2023. During that stint, he led the side in 20 Test matches, recording 10 victories, six defeats and four drawn games. His experience was viewed as a major factor as Pakistan prepares for important away series in the Caribbean and England.

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Misbah-ul-Haq backs Babar across all formats

Former Pakistan skipper Misbah also welcomed the decision, arguing that Babar’s recent performances have silenced many of the concerns surrounding his place in the national side. Misbah acknowledged that questions had previously been raised about Babar’s T20I strike rate, but pointed to his outstanding campaign in the recent Pakistan Super League as evidence that the right-hander has adapted his game. Babar finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer and captained his franchise to the title, strengthening his case for continued leadership responsibilities.

“The only question mark over Babar Azam’s selection previously was in T20Is, mainly because of his strike rate. However, the way he performed in the recent PSL showed clear improvement. He still has immense value, even in the shorter format. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer and led his team to the title,” Misbah said.

Misbah further stated that Babar remains one of Pakistan’s most dependable cricketers regardless of the format, adding that future team combinations should determine his role rather than doubts over his abilities. He highlighted Babar’s proven record in One-Day Internationals and his achievements in Test cricket while noting there is still room for the batter to reach even greater heights. Misbah also described Babar as Pakistan’s finest technically accomplished batter and praised his consistency over the years.

According to the former captain, the management’s responsibility is to provide Babar with clarity, confidence and a role that allows him to produce the performances that have made him one of Pakistan’s most influential cricketers. With the West Indies and England tours approaching, PCB believes reinstating an experienced leader gives Pakistan the best chance of success in the red-ball format.

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