Babar Azam is likely to replace Shan Masood as Test captain after Pakistan's humiliating 104-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Babar Azam missed the opening Test due to a knee injury and is expected to return for the second match from May 18.
What happened?
Pakistan lost the first Test to Bangladesh by 104 runs, sparking a strong backlash over the team's performance and captaincy.
Shan Masood endured a disappointing outing with the bat, failing in both innings.
Why it matters for Babar Azam
A campaign has begun to reinstate Babar Azam as Test captain for the remaining matches of the World Test Championship cycle.
Influential figures in the Pakistan Cricket Board want Babar back as captain, believing this is the right time to give him another run at captaincy.
What comes next?
Babar Azam is a strong contender to come back as captain if he plays the second Test and regains his batting form.
Initial exchanges with some board officials indicate he is not averse to becoming captain again, with the idea to bring him back as Test captain and then prepare him to take over as ODI captain before next year's World Cup.
Babar Azam was captain of all three formats between 2019 and 2023 before he was forced to step down after the 2023 World Cup in India.
He was brought back as T20 captain for the 2024 World Cup but stepped down again after a poor tournament.
Shan Masood is deeply disappointed after the first Test defeat and is now seriously considering taking up a permanent role with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
He was offered the post of Director of International Cricket and Player Affairs last year by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, but had opted to complete the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
All three captains of the Pakistan team across formats are currently part of the squad touring Bangladesh, including ODI skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha.
There is support for Babar to be brought back as Test captain within the team, with some officials believing he is the right man to lead the team forward.
The second Test is set to start on May 18, and Babar Azam's return will be a key factor in determining the team's performance.
With seven more Tests scheduled this year, the Pakistan Cricket Board will be hoping Babar can lead the team to better results and improve their chances in the World Test Championship.
Babar Azam's experience and leadership skills make him a strong candidate to take over as Test captain again.
His ability to perform under pressure and lead the team to victory will be crucial in the upcoming matches, and the Pakistan Cricket Board will be hoping he can regain his form and lead the team to success.
The Pakistan Cricket Board will be making a decision on the Test captaincy in the coming days, and Babar Azam is the favorite to take over the role.
With his experience and leadership skills, he is the right man to lead the team forward and improve their chances in the World Test Championship.