Cricket rarely offers a more loaded question for a team than this: is the man one of your best batters the right man to lead? For Pakistan — a nation that wears its cricket on its sleeve and rounds each victory or defeat with emotion, expectation and hope — that question is even more acute.
In this post we’ll walk through Babar’s journey as skipper of the Pakistan national cricket team, highlight his strengths, examine the cracks, and zoom in on the recent period without him (or at least without him in leadership/full T20 role). The aim: to ask whether his captaincy is still the best path for Pakistan, or whether a change might do more good than harm.
1. The case for Babar as captain
Exceptional batting pedigree
When we talk about Babar Azam’s credentials as a batter, the records speak loud. He has consistently batted at the top for Pakistan across formats.
As a captain he also produced some standout knocks. For example, in Tests between 2020-22 he averaged over 50 with five centuries and 14 fifties in about 20 matches.
This batting credibility gives any captain a solid foundation: the respect of teammates, the ability to lead by example, and the capacity to absorb pressure innings. When the team is in trouble early, that matters.
Strong record in certain formats
According to aggregated statistics, Babar’s win percentage as captain across all formats was around the mid-50s: one source lists 84 wins out of 148 games (≈ 56.75 %) up to a point.
That suggests he has guided the team to more wins than losses in a decent sample size — not mediocre by the chaotic standards of Pakistan cricket.
A calm presence, modern technique
Watching him bat, you sense composure. In times when Pakistan’s batting has been erratic, Babar looks like the anchor one would like. That calmness can translate into captaincy: shushing panic, guiding younger players, making the tough decisions under stress.
2. The case against Babar as captain
Tactical and freshness concerns
While the raw numbers look fair, digging into context reveals issues. One recurring critique is that his tactical acumen sometimes falls short: field placements, bowling changes, managing momentum — all areas where captains win or lose. Some analyses of his ‘failures and success’ highlight that he has been exposed there.
In one Reddit post:
“Babar isn’t the best tactically and his captaincy has let us down many times.”
That doesn’t mean he’s incompetent — just that for Pakistan, where margins are small and pressure high, tactical sharpness is essential.
High workload + dips in form
Captaining Pakistan is a burden. Add international travel, domestic commitments, the constant spotlight, the media, the fan expectations — and the batting suffers. Babar himself stepped down from white-ball captaincy in October 2024 citing workload and the desire to focus on his batting.
If your captain is worrying about his own form, there’s a risk the team suffers too.
Recent results and the need for change
Here’s where things become very relevant: Pakistan’s selectors did not include Babar (or his long-time top partner Mohammad Rizwan) in the T20 squad for the Asia Cup 2025.
The board and selectors seem to be indicating that the team wants to go a different path.
One article says: “Pakistan doing really well without Babar – Rizwan: Salman Agha” as the new captain said the team has won 3 out of 4 series.
If the team is auditioning a new era without him, it raises the question: why keep him as captain when leadership without him is being tested?
3. Recent matches without Babar in leadership role
To gauge how Pakistan are faring without Babar in a captain-heavy role, let’s look at what’s happened.
- For T20Is, from March 2025, Pakistan appointed Salman Ali Agha as captain and omitted Babar from the playing T20 setup.
- For the Asia Cup in September 2025, Pakistan’s 17-member squad did not include Babar or Rizwan.
What’s the result? The team is undergoing transition: more aggressive batting line-ups, younger players getting chances. The results are patchy, but there is evidence of forward momentum in certain series. Salman Agha claimed the team won 3 out of 4 series heading into the Asia Cup.
Of course, against top-tier opponents like India the old problems resurfaced. But the fact that Pakistan are willing to move on indicates the selectors believe that a fresh captaincy might bring a new spark.
4. So: Should Babar Stay On?
In a nutshell: it depends on what Pakistan want and what Babar is prepared to do.
A) If Pakistan want stability and rely on experience
Keeping Babar as captain makes sense. He remains one of the best batters globally, he has leadership experience, and he brings composure. If the board believes the team needs a steady hand through rebuilding, he might be that anchor.
B) If Pakistan want to reset and accelerate
If the aim is to change mindset, inject aggression, back younger players, experiment, then a captain change may help. The fact that Pakistan are already playing without him in T20s suggests they are leaning this way.
What Babar must deliver to justify staying
- Improve tactical nous: field settings, bowling changes, match momentum.
- Focus on workload: his batting must not slip because he is distracted by captaincy.
- Mentor younger players: as senior leader he must lift others, not just lead by example.
- Adapt his game: in T20s especially his strike rate and ability to take risks are under scrutiny. One recent article reported coaches want him to improve his work against spin and increase strike rate.
What the board and selectors must assess
- Is the team performing better under new leadership or at least showing prospects of improvement? If yes, change is justified.
- Will the drop in Babar’s batting or possible drop in his motivation offset any captaincy change?
- How does this impact team culture, senior-junior dynamic, and the pipeline of future players?
5. Final thoughts
Captaincy is a unique challenge. For someone as talented as Babar Azam — with the world at his bat-blade and expectations on every cover drive — adding the weight of captaincy might be more load than sweet experience. He still offers so much, but sometimes letting someone else steer the ship while you’re the star batsman is the smarter route.
Pakistan are at a crossroads. They can trust in Babar’s experience, or they can push for change and hope the new generation rises faster. There’s no perfect answer, but what is clear: the decision must be made swiftly, thoughtfully, and not as a knee-jerk reaction. Time is ticking toward the next major events. Leadership direction now will set the tone for years.