Asif calls for Abdullah Shafique to replace Babar Azam as Pakistan captain

Former Pakistan cricketer Muhammad Asif advised skipper Babar Azam to step down as the captain across all formats, suggesting Abdullah Shafique as the best choice for captaincy. 

While speaking in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Asif expressed that Abdullah, an opener, has shown great promise, and with further hard work on his shot selection, he could be very successful as a captain for a long period in Pakistan cricket.

Moreover, Asif opposed the idea of appointing Sarfaraz Ahmed as the captain for the upcoming Test series against Australia, stating that there is no need to resort to reverse gears, and Pakistan should plan for the next ten years. According to him, Abdullah is the only young player who has the potential to become a successful captain in the future.

It is worth noting that Babar is reportedly contemplating stepping down from the captaincy role in white-ball cricket. Babar has sought advice and guidance on his future, engaging in discussions with former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and close associates.