Waqar Younis has warned Pakistan over Babar Azam captaincy after England completed a 3-0 Test series sweep. The former Pakistan fast bowler praised Babar’s ability as a batter but questioned whether the leadership role places too much pressure on him.
Speaking at an event, Waqar described Babar as a technically strong and elegant player. However, he said the former Pakistan captain appears to struggle when he carries the added responsibility of leading the team.
Waqar Younis Praises Babar’s Batting Ability
Waqar made it clear that he does not see a major technical problem with Babar’s batting.
He called the right-hander a “very sound” and “complete” player. At the same time, Waqar believes captaincy creates an additional burden that can affect Babar’s performances.
According to Waqar, Babar takes too much responsibility upon himself when he leads Pakistan. As a result, the pressure can become difficult to manage.
He also pointed to a pattern in Babar’s career. Waqar said Babar has not performed as well whenever he has taken on major leadership responsibilities.
England Series Adds to Pressure on Babar
The comments come after a difficult Test tour of England for Pakistan. England completed a 3-0 series victory, with Pakistan struggling for consistency throughout the campaign.
Babar returned to the Test captaincy after Shan Masood’s tenure ended. He then faced a challenging period as Pakistan attempted to rebuild its red-ball team.
The third Test offered some improvement from Pakistan’s batting unit. Babar made 76 in the match, while debutant Razaullah scored 81 during Pakistan’s second-innings fightback. However, England eventually completed the series sweep.
Waqar Questions Whether Babar Should Lead
Waqar’s main concern focuses on the impact of captaincy rather than Babar’s batting technique.
He argued that Pakistan could risk losing the best version of Babar if the team continues to place additional pressure on him.
The former fast bowler also stressed the importance of backing players. In his view, a captain needs to remain strong, support teammates and make decisions confidently.
Therefore, Pakistan now faces a wider question about how it wants to use Babar in Test cricket.
Babar’s Batting Remains a Major Focus
Babar’s recent Test form has attracted attention. Before the England tour, he had not scored a Test century since December 2022, when he made a hundred against New Zealand.
His role has also changed several times as Pakistan moved between different leadership combinations. That instability has added another layer to the debate around his captaincy.
For now, Waqar’s comments have added to the discussion over whether Babar should continue carrying the leadership burden or focus fully on his batting.
Pakistan will need to weigh both options carefully as it looks to rebuild its Test side after the England setback.
