Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan’s Test cricket team, has confirmed that he does not dictate team selection, but reassures fans that the squad chosen for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka is preparing for the next World Test Championship cycle.
Ahead of the first Test in Rawalpindi tomorrow, Babar stated, “The 15 players I was given, my job is to get the best out of. The selectors and coaches have given us a team, and my job is to help them fight and produce match-winning performances.” While emphasising his role isn’t in public player selection or deselection, Babar added, “I give my input, and then the selectors and coaches do their job.”
Recently, Pakistan made last-minute changes to their Test squad, dropping Abdullah Fazal and Ali Usman while adding four new players—three of whom are awaiting their Test debuts. This shift follows an earlier instance when numerous players were switched before the third Test against England alongside dismissing the head and bowling coaches.
Babar spoke about Pakistan’s strategy of prioritising youthful talent. “Our team is quite young,” he explained. “We’ve tried to make a better combination of seniors and juniors, offering opportunities for youngsters.”
Currently, Pakistan finds itself at the bottom of this World Test Championship table, with no chances for this year’s final. Babar recognises their current standing, stating, “We’re pretty much out of the WTC this year, so we’re looking forward to the next one.” The team aims to groom upcoming talents for the new cycle, which culminates in the 2029 final.
Concerning his personal form, Babar’s recent performances have prompted discussions. Since the England tour, his runs haven’t come easily, including a mere 60 runs across four first-class games in September. During a recent ODI tri-series, he managed only 118 runs in five innings. Despite these challenges, he dismisses the idea of taking a break, opting instead to increase his efforts. “I’m talking to coaches about what I can improve,” he said, maintaining positivity and commitment to refining his game.
Babar remains optimistic, “If you don’t perform, you learn where you’re making mistakes. You can’t be perfect, you can just try and keep improving.” For him, it’s all about maintaining faith in his preparatory routines and hard work, ensuring sooner or later, outcomes will align with his aspirations.
