Mohammad Amir explains why reappointing Babar Azam as Pakistan’s Test captain was the wrong move

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Pakistan‘s Test team has come under renewed scrutiny after suffering a 90-run defeat to the West Indies in the opening Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on July 28. The loss stretched Pakistan’s miserable away Test losing streak to eight matches and exposed familiar batting frailties despite a spirited bowling effort. Chasing a modest target of 211, Pakistan crumbled for just 120, with captain Babar Azam‘s unbeaten 58 standing out as the only meaningful contribution. Earlier, Mohammad Abbas had produced a sensational spell of 5/22 to bowl West Indies out for 181 in their second innings, but Jayden Seales‘ fiery five-wicket haul ensured the hosts secured victory after building a first-innings lead through Shai Hope‘s 92 and Justin Greaves‘ match-winning all-round display.

The defeat has intensified the spotlight on Babar, whose return as Pakistan’s Test captain has already become a major talking point. Having replaced Shan Masood as skipper ahead of the series, Babar now finds himself under immense pressure after beginning his second stint in charge with another overseas defeat. While the star batter showed resilience with an unbeaten half-century in the fourth innings, he received little support from the rest of the batting unit. Pakistan’s repeated collapses against disciplined pace bowling have raised concerns about both the team’s technique and temperament in challenging overseas conditions.

The second Test, beginning on August 2, now assumes massive importance for Pakistan. Babar will not only have to inspire a shaken dressing room but also find solutions to the batting issues that have haunted the team throughout the series. His tactical approach is also expected to remain under the microscope, with critics calling for more proactive field settings, better bowling rotations, and improved decision-making in pressure situations. With Pakistan desperate to avoid another series defeat, the skipper faces one of the biggest tests of his leadership career.

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Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir believes the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the wrong decision by handing the Test captaincy back to Babar, arguing that the team’s best batter should have been allowed to focus entirely on his game. Speaking to Wisden, Amir said Babar had only recently rediscovered his rhythm after enduring a prolonged lean patch and that assigning him leadership responsibilities at such a stage could prove counterproductive.

According to Amir, the intense scrutiny surrounding Pakistan cricket makes captaincy far more demanding than simply leading the side on the field. He pointed out that every defeat and tactical decision attracts relentless criticism from the media and fans, creating additional mental pressure for any captain.

“He just started performing well now after a long, long time, like after two and a half years, you can say he’s looking in good touch, And suddenly you’re putting him under pressure, like in Pakistan, you know, from media, our culture is very tough. You’re always on your toes. You have to be answerable for every single thing. So now he’s captain,” said Amir.

The left-arm pacer maintained that Babar would have been more valuable to Pakistan if he had been allowed to play without the burden of leadership. Amir described him as the country’s most dependable batter and someone the team can consistently rely upon in difficult situations.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do. I think, for me, a personal opinion, he should have been playing like a player, free of mind, less pressure because he’s the only one like we can trust as a player, right? He’s the best player in Pakistan right now. But I think as a captain, that’s not a good decision,” added Amir.

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