by In a major development ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering bringing back former captain Babar Azam to a leadership or central role in the national team setup. While no official announcement has been made yet, inside sources suggest that discussions are well underway—and a decision could be made in the coming weeks.
If finalized, Babar’s return could mark a dramatic twist in Pakistan’s cricket narrative ahead of one of the most anticipated tournaments on the continent.
Why Now? The Timing Behind the Comeback
The timing is key. Pakistan’s performance across formats has been inconsistent since Babar stepped down as captain after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Successive changes in leadership and strategy haven’t delivered the desired results. With the Asia Cup 2025 scheduled to be played at home, PCB is under pressure to ensure a stable and experienced lineup.
Babar’s proven batting record, calm demeanor, and massive fan following make him a natural candidate for reinstatement—either as captain or as a senior player around whom the batting unit can revolve.
PCB Considering Babar Azam’s Return for Asia Cup 2025.
A Look Back: Babar Azam’s Leadership Era
Babar Azam captained Pakistan from 2019 to 2023 in all three formats. Under his leadership:
- Pakistan reached the T20 World Cup 2022 final.
- The team secured several bilateral series wins.
- He emerged as one of the world’s top three batters across formats.
However, criticisms about his leadership style, tactical decisions, and team combinations grew louder after the disappointing World Cup 2023 campaign. Eventually, he resigned from captaincy across formats, choosing to focus on his batting.
What Role Could He Play in Asia Cup 2025?
There are several possibilities being explored by the PCB:
- Reinstatement as Captain: A bold move, but one that could stabilize the side with a familiar face at the helm.
- Return as Vice-Captain or Senior Mentor: Allowing new leadership to grow while still benefiting from Babar’s experience.
- Core Batting Role Without Leadership Pressure: Letting him focus solely on anchoring the innings and regaining peak form.
Fan Sentiment and Public Pressure
Across social media and cricketing circles, fan sentiment has remained largely in favor of Babar Azam. Despite the ups and downs of his captaincy, his performances with the bat have never dipped below world-class. Calls for his return have only grown louder with every disappointing result under new leadership.
PCB officials are well aware of the fan power Babar carries—both as a player and as a public figure.
PCB’s Balancing Act
The PCB’s decision will have to balance several factors:
- The development of new leaders like Shaheen Afridi or Shan Masood.
- Dressing room dynamics.
- Babar’s willingness to return in a leadership role.
- The team’s long-term direction ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026.
According to insiders, a clear plan is being discussed to involve Babar in a leadership capacity without creating unrest among the younger players or disrupting the current team environment.
What’s Next?
An official statement from the PCB is expected closer to the announcement of the Asia Cup 2025 squad, possibly in early 2025. For now, all eyes are on the domestic season and international fixtures where Babar is expected to play a central role in Pakistan’s batting lineup.
