Leadership lessons from BABAR AZAM, what not to do when you face FAILURE

WHITEWASH IN PAKISTAN: Aftermath of 3-0 drubbing from England

1. Drop the ATTITUDE & never bail on the team: 

Pakistan had lost the first two test matches. On the first day of the third test in Karachi captain, Babar Azam decided to join some of his teammates for dinner. The only problem was that Babar Azam did not seek prior permission to go out for dinner like his other teammates. The security staff as per protocol stopped Babar initially and then complied but a furious Babar Azam escalated the matter by staying in the good room & joining the Pakistan team an hour late on the ground the following day. This is absolutely unacceptable, a captain should never bail on his team. When the chips are down a leader needs to find ways to uplift his team and put them in a winning position rather than exhibiting his frustration and throwing tantrums. Pakistan lost the third test match and was whitewashed at home for the first time in 75 years.

2. Sympathy card is for losers not leaders: 

Soon after losing the test series as Babar Azam’s captaincy came under fire his teammates started posting pictures with the captain on social media with the hashtag #SochnaBhiManaHai literally translated that means one can’t even think of dropping Babar Azam as captain. But if Babar Azam’s record as captain was so impressive, why would they need to make such statements? A leader should always lead by example and let results speak rather than hollow emotional messages.

Babar Azam hamari or Pakistan ki Shan, jaan or pehchan hai. Wo Hamara kaptaan hai or rahe ga. Kuch or #sochnabhimanah hai.

Please support this team. Yahi team hame jitaye gi bhi. Kahani abhi Khatam nahi howi. #Respect pic.twitter.com/WyjW98pJuA

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) December 20, 2022

Ap hamaray leader ho or raho ga hamesha inshallah❤️#sochnabemanahai #Respect pic.twitter.com/Qfe4hY9bp4

— Haris Rauf (@HarisRauf14) December 20, 2022

3. Respect the criticism: 

Just before the test series against England began, a Pakistani journalist asked Babar Azam about the sad state of pitches in Pakistan which would reduce their chances of making it to the WTC finals. The question was an elaborate one as the journalist took his time going into details, Babar Azam responded by saying ‘Kuch reh to nahi gaya, aur kar lein aap’ meaning I hope there’s nothing left. This moment came back to haunt Babar as the not only did Pakistan lose the first test match, the ICC rated the pitch in Rawalpindi as below average. A leader should always learn from criticism rather than mocking the messenger.