Ricky Ponting, Australia’s cricket legend, believes Pakistan is on a stronger footing with Babar Azam back at the helm. Recently reinstated as Pakistan’s white-ball captain after a brief stint under Shaheen Afridi’s leadership, Babar seems to have the team’s prospects looking brighter.
Ponting feels that Pakistan has a better chance of improving on their runner-up finish in the 2022 T20 World Cup and possibly replicating their 2009 title win.
“Captaincy just sits well with some people and doesn’t with others,” Ponting shared with The ICC Review. He explained that while some of the best players may not make great captains, the role seems to suit Babar well.
Ponting elaborated on the challenges of captaincy: “Some of the best players are so focused on their own game that when they become captain, they struggle to balance personal performance with leadership responsibilities.”
“But I reckon Babar has learned from his early experiences. His numbers dipped initially, but he seems to have adapted.”
Shaheen Afridi, Ponting noted, didn’t quite excel as a leader. “Shaheen didn’t set the world on fire as a leader either. Heading into a World Cup, the team looks more settled with Babar as captain,” he added.
Ponting also highlighted the emergence of young talent Saim Ayub. Opening alongside Mohammad Rizwan in the recent T20I series against Ireland, Ayub has caught Ponting’s eye.
“I loved the look of Ayub during the Australian summer,” Ponting said. “He played a Test match in Sydney, and I didn’t know much about him then. I did some digging into his PSL performances, and he’s a proper player. A real star in the making.”
In conclusion, while the road ahead is challenging, the combination of experienced leadership and emerging talent might just be the recipe Pakistan needs for success on the global stage.
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