Pakistan’s Test skipper, Shan Masood, has expressed confidence in star batter Babar Azam’s ability to regain form during the upcoming home Test series against England. Masood believes that Azam, despite recent struggles, remains the team’s premier batter.
Azam’s performances in his last eight Tests have been below par, with an average of 21.13 and no half-centuries. However, Masood emphasized that Azam is not out of form and is still getting starts. He attributed Azam’s struggles to the long gap between Tests and the pressure of being the team’s leading batter.
“Babar is among the world’s best batters,” Masood said. “You have to give your players time, not just Babar. He is getting starts. There was a 10-month gap between the Australia and Bangladesh Tests, which does not help us.”
Masood pointed to Azam’s impressive performances in the recent Champions Cup, where he scored 230 runs at an average of 76.66 and a strike rate of almost 99. He believes that Azam’s ability to absorb pressure and change gears in that tournament will benefit him in Tests.
Masood also dismissed any concerns about a lack of unity within the team. He stated that the players are putting in effort and that he has no complaints.
“Every captain has their own style,” Masood said. “I focus on keeping the environment in the dressing room well; that is my primary concern. I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys.”
Pakistan’s Test record at home has been poor in recent times, with their last win dating back to February 2021. They are under pressure to perform well against England, especially after their series loss to Bangladesh.
The Pakistan squad for the first Test against England includes:
* Shan Masood (c)
* Saud Shakeel (vc)
* Aamir Jamal
* Abdullah Shafique
* Abrar Ahmed
* Babar Azam
* Mir Hamza
* Mohammad Huraira
* Mohammad Rizwan
* Naseem Shah
* Noman Ali
* Saim Ayub
* Salman Ali Agha
* Sarfaraz Ahmed
* Shaheen Shah Afridi
