‘Unfair’ to remove Azhar Ali from Test captaincy: Shoaib Akhtar

Babar Azam is the top contender for the role ahead of New Zealand tour

PHOTO: Reuters

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar believes that removing Azhar Ali from Test captaincy would be unfair.

While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Akhtar said that Ali should not be removed from the role after one bad game.

Pakistan lost the first Test against England in Manchester, despite being in a winning position, during the recent tour.

“I agree that Azhar [Ali] made a mistake in the second innings of the first Test against England, while fielding, for which he was criticised but to remove him from captaincy, based on that match, would be unfair. I’m sure he will give his 100 per cent in the upcoming matches,” he said.

“It is disappointing to see that it’s always the players who suffer in such a scenario while the management stays the same,” he added.

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Babar Azam, who is also the captain of Pakistan’s limited-overs side, is the top contender to replace current Test skipper Ali ahead of Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand.

“Babar is evolving as a captain. If Babar believes that he can lead the side in all three formats without jeopardising his batting form, then he should be made the captain,” he concluded.