Ahmed Shahzad Criticizes Babar Azam's Test Captaincy

Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shahzad criticized Babar Azam's appointment as Test captain following a loss to Bangladesh ^[1].

The criticism comes at a volatile time for the Pakistan Cricket Board as it weighs leadership options after a series of poor performances. The debate over Azam's temperament and experience reflects a broader struggle within the national team to maintain stability in the longest format of the game.

Pakistan suffered a defeat in the first Test match against Bangladesh, which took place from June 27 to June 30, 2026 ^[2]. The match, held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, ended with Bangladesh winning by seven wickets ^[2]. This result has triggered significant scrutiny of the team's tactical approach and leadership.

Shahzad said he opposed Azam leading the side during an interview with Geo News. He said the current state of the team requires a different level of leadership to recover from the setback in Dhaka.

"I think Babar is not ready to lead the Test side; the team needs a more seasoned captain," Shahzad said ^[1].

While Shahzad maintains that Azam lacks the necessary temperament, other reports suggest the PCB may still hand the red-ball captaincy back to him ^[2]. This contradiction highlights the divide between former players and board officials regarding the best path forward for the squad.

Analysts said the loss to Bangladesh was humiliating and has forced the PCB to reconsider the captaincy ^[2]. The board now faces the challenge of balancing the talent of Azam with the need for a leader who can navigate high-pressure series without repeated collapses.