KARACHI: PCB management committee chairman Najam Sethi has dispelled once and for all rumours doing rounds about Babar Azam’s captaincy for the upcoming New Zealand series, stating that appointing the captain of the team is the discretion of the chairman. Babar will remain captain for NZ series, he announced on his official twitter handle on Monday, admitting that he decided to proceed with this decision after consulting with selectors, director of cricket and head coach.

 Initially, the selection committees of Shahid Afridi and Haroon Rashid had suggested a change in leadership, he continued, but later on the selector advised not to change the captain. Now we should all support Babar Azam. Taking to twitter, Mr Sethi wrote, “For months media and cricketing circles have been discussing pros and cons of retaining Babar Azam as captain in all formats of the game. Since this decision is ultimately Chairman’s, I have sought views of Selection Committees headed by Shahid Afridi and now Haroon Rashid.”

 “Both Committees thought matter merited discussion but both later came to the conclusion that the status quo should be retained. I have subsequently publicly stated this position. In the final analysis my decision will be subject to the success or failure of status quo.“I will also be guided by what the Selectors and Director Cricket Ops and Head Coach have to say going forward. I expect they will be in the best position to advise me. Therefore we should support Babar and not make matter controversial in interests of national team.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 11 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.