Pakistan national cricket team are reportedly preparing to bring back Babar Azam as Test captain following another difficult phase under current skipper Shan Masood. The move gained momentum after Pakistan’s crushing 104-run defeat to Bangladesh national cricket team in the opening Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, a result that intensified criticism of the team’s leadership and performances.

According to a source close to the team, influential figures within the Pakistan Cricket Board are backing Babar’s return for the remaining matches of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. Pakistan still have seven Tests scheduled this year.

“Some influential figures in the Pakistan Cricket Board also want Babar back as captain and believe this is the right time to give him another run at captaincy,” a source close to the team said as quoted by PTI.

"If Babar plays the second Test and regains his batting form, he is a strong contender to come back as captain. Initial exchanges with some board officials indicate he is also not averse to becoming captain again," the source said.

Babar missed the opening Test against Bangladesh because of a knee injury but is expected to return for the second Test beginning on May 18.

The report also suggested that the PCB is considering preparing Babar for a return as ODI captain before next year’s World Cup. Current white-ball captains Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Ali Agha are both part of the squad touring Bangladesh.

Babar previously captained Pakistan across all three formats between 2019 and 2023 before stepping down after the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. He briefly returned as Pakistan’s T20 captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup but stepped down from the role again after the team’s disappointing campaign.