'Reach Virat Kohli's level first': Former Pak keeper reveals he advised Babar Azam to not take up captaincy

Though Pakistan reached the final of the Asia Cup 2022, and were the favourites to clinch the trophy, they were defeated quite comfortably by Sri Lanka in the summit clash. Pakistan were criticised for their batting approach throughout the tournament. However, it was an Asia Cup to forget for their captain and star batsman Babar Azam.

Babar Azam had a horrific tournament with the bat, as he scored just 68 runs from six games at an average of just over 13 and a measly strike rate of 107. In fact, Babar was also criticize d by pundits for his 'negative' captaincy in the final vs Sri Lanka.

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal recalled the time when he advised Babar Azam to not take up captaincy as this would hamper his game. He had asked the star Pak batsman to reach the levels of Virat Kohli or Steve Smith with the bat first before taking up the mantle of captaincy.

"During a T20I in Faisalabad when Babar was walking out for the toss, I got to know that he is being made captain. That is when I told him... 'I don't think now is the right time for you to become captain. Give your best performances in the next 2-3 years. The batting line-up is depended on you. Reach Virat Kohli's level first, Steve Smith's level. By then, you would have scored 35-40 centuries and enjoy captaincy. The moment Sarfaraz leaves, you will be next in line. But now is the right time. I told him back in the day but it was his decision. Those who were close to him, must have spoken to him and advised him to take up captaincy," Akmal said in a video on his YouTube Channel.

"I had also told him to only concentrate on his batting. He was scoring runs and would have continued to do so. The flow was beautiful. People enjoyed watching him bat. With captaincy, there will be pressure, which will affect his batting, his approach. And somewhere, that is visible now. But at the same time removing him as captain right now would be a big blunder on the part of the team management. Pakistan cricket will go back," Akmal added.