Rashid Latif backs Babar Azam as Pakistan’s future ODI captain

Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan cricketer, has thrown his weight behind Babar Azam to become the ODI skipper of the national team in the future. Back in 2019, Pakistan had a disastrous campaign in the World Cup where they bowed out before the semis. Though the team got past Sri Lanka in the home ODIs, Sarfaraz Ahmed had to face the axe as the captain as well as from the eleven.

Even as Azhar Ali took the leadership mantle in Test cricket, Babar Azam was made the T20I skipper. However, the team is yet to appoint an ODI skipper and Latif feels that no one other than Babar could shoulder the responsibility effectively. On Twitter, a fan felt that Pakistan’s future is secured since they have three efficient skippers in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Shan Masood.

Imad, Shadab and Masood are skippers of the Karachi Kings, Islamabad United and Multan Sultans respectively in the 2020 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The fan took to Twitter and wrote, “We got three competent future captains @76Shadabkhan, @simadwasim & @shani_official. Future is safe. #Cricket,”

However, Latif backed Babar for Pakistan’s ODI captaincy. He replied to the user and wrote, “@babarazam258 right now national team captain .. T20 and most probably in ODI,”

Here is Rashid Latif’s reply

@babarazam258 right now national team captain .. T20 and most probably in ODI

— Rashid Latif راشد لطیف 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) March 14, 2020

Babar shining in the PSL

Babar Azam has arguably been the standout batsman in the ongoing T20 league. In 10 matches, the Lahore, Punjab-born has 345 runs at an average of 49.28 with three half-centuries to his credit. He got a duck in one of the games against the United when he was run out without facing a delivery. But apart from that, he has looked at his very best, striking at an impressive 123.65.

The Kings have already qualified for the semis where they will be locking horns with the Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday, March 17 at the Gaddafi Stadium. In the league stage, Babar got scores of 38 and 69* against the same opposition and that is expected to keep him in good stead. The Kings have never won the PSL and a lot would depend on Babar if they wish to get their hands on the trophy.