Fans Want “Misbah Out”; Babar Azam Ready To Replace Azhar Ali

“Misbah Out” became one of the top tends on social media following Pakistan’s super over defeat in the third and final ODI against Zimbabwe. Also main stream media has reported that Babar Azam is now certain to take over Test captaincy from Azhar Ali. Hence, is a look at both stories in detail. 

Read: Pakistan Name Abdullah Shafique & Zafar Gohar For The Third ODI Against Zimbabwe

 Fans Want “Misbah Out”

“Misbah Out” trended on social media after Pakistan’s defeat in the super over during the third and final ODI against a lowly rated Zimbabwean side. Showing their dismay at the choice of batsmen (Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and Fakhar Zaman) fans in Pakistan questioned the Head Coach’s tactics at a crucial point in the game.

It is worth mentioning here that as per media reports Misbah is already out of favor in PCB following his meeting (that was also attended by Azhar Ali and Mohd. Hafeez) with the Prime Minister, Imran Khan during which he had requested the premier to restore the previous domestic structure. The defeat then makes it obvious that he now has little or no public support as well owing to which a bad tour to New Zealand is likely to result in his dismissal.

Read: England’s Tour To Pakistan: ECB Likely To Send A “B” Team

Babar Azam All Set To Replace Azhar Ali

Media reports also suggest Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now decided to punish Azhar Ali for being part of the aforesaid meeting and that Babar Azam will replace him as Pakistan’s Test captain for the tour.

Mohd. Rizwan was also one of the top contenders for the post as well. However, his poor form with the bat during the ongoing series against Zimbabwe it seems, has cost him an opportunity for now. Nevertheless, a good New Zealand tour for Rizwan as a wicket-keeper batsman and a bad tour for Babar Azam as team’s skipper might as well change things around dramatically. 

New Zealand tour then is significant as both Misbah and Babar might lose their prestigious positions in case of poor results during the trip.