Babar is Captain Again 😳 “No Other Name Came Up” | 2🇵🇰's & 2🇮🇳's react

Here is a reader-facing podcast summary of the episode.

Babar Azam has been reappointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain, just months after stepping down from all leadership roles following a disastrous 2023 World Cup. The decision, announced by the PCB, was framed as a straightforward choice because “no other name came up.” The panel on this episode of CrickTick breaks down the logic—and the dysfunction—behind that move, comparing Pakistan’s chaotic captaincy cycle to India’s more structured transition planning.

The Logic Behind Babar’s Return

The hosts argue that Babar’s reappointment was inevitable, not because he is the best captain, but because he is the only player in Pakistan cricket with an untouchable batting profile. He has scored the most ODI hundreds for Pakistan (tied with Saeed Anwar), holds records across formats, and remains the team’s “focal point.” The panel notes that when you build a team around one superstar, that player must also absorb the pressure of leadership—even if he is not a natural tactician. One host puts it bluntly: Babar “is such a guy [who will] take the blame,” so the board keeps handing him the captaincy to shield itself from criticism.