The winds of change could be blowing through Pakistan cricket once again. According to emerging reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is seriously considering reinstating Babar Azam as Test captain, potentially as early as the second Test against Bangladesh in 2026. But that's not all—whispers from the cricketing corridors suggest Babar might also reclaim the ODI captaincy ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Current Test skipper Shan Masood is feeling the heat after a disappointing 104-run loss in the first Test in Dhaka. The defeat has sparked criticism not just of the team management, but of Masood's leadership as well. Since taking over the reins in November 2023, Masood has overseen 11 losses in 15 Tests—a record that has left little room for optimism.

Enter Babar Azam. The former all-format captain, who stepped down after the 2023 ODI World Cup and was later sacked from the white-ball role following a lackluster T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, is now being tipped for a return. A source quoted by PTI revealed, "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."

Babar missed the first Test due to a knee injury but is expected to be fit for the series finale in Sylhet. His return could not only shore up Pakistan's batting lineup but also provide the leadership stability the team has been craving. For a player of Babar's caliber—often compared to the modern greats of the game—a return to the helm might be exactly what Pakistan needs to turn their fortunes around.

As the cricketing world watches closely, one thing is clear: Pakistan's captaincy saga is far from over, and the next chapter could see Babar Azam back where many believe he belongs—leading from the front.