'Board should ask if captaincy is taking a toll on him' - Javed Miandad feels Pakistan board must have a talk with Babar Azam

Javed Miandad, Babar Azam (Image Source: Twitter)

The Pakistan team under Babar Azam have been doing reasonably well and it was under him the team reached the finals of the Asia Cup 2022. However, the star batter has often received criticism for playing with a poor strike rate. After having a poor outing in the continental tournament, Babar rediscovered his form in the T20I series against England with his century. 

Javed Miandad, the former Pakistani cricketer, has urged the Pakistan cricket board to manage the workload of the Pakistan skipper. Further, he added that the board must have an honest talk with their skipper on his leadership roles. 

“Babar is a world-class batsman. But the board should ask him if the captaincy is taking a toll on him. There needs to be an honest conversation between him and the board. If he feels he can’t both perform with the bat and lead in the field, then the captaincy shouldn’t stay with him. However, the board should clarify to Babar that he is their preferred choice for captain,” Miandad was quoted as saying. 

The players need to think about playing for Pakistan first: Javed Miandad

The 65-year-old further added that the batters must put their country first. He added that players must think of playing for Pakistan and not for personal paeans. Miandad highlighted the importance of backing themselves, reminding that it was their good performances that earned them a place in the playing XI. 

“The players need to think about playing for Pakistan first. Once you want to deliver for Pakistan, you will automatically put in an extra effort whether you’re bowling, batting or fielding. Pakistani players need to realise that they are good and that is why they’re in the final eleven," Miandad said. 

"The question of whether you’re good enough shouldn’t be there. You are good, now you just have to deliver what you’ve been asked to do on the day,” the former Pakistan batter further said. Men in Green will face England in the final T20I on October 2, Sunday and they will look to win the series.