Babar Azam said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should be asked whether they are planning to remove him from captaincy and bring someone else ahead of the departing for Sri Lanka for the two-Test series.
The series will be of utmost importance for Pakistan, who despite playing three-Test series at home, failed to qualify for the final of the last edition of the World Test Championship (WTC 2023). In fact, Pakistan lost to Australia 1-0 and then England whitewashed them 3-0, the first instance of Pakistan losing all Tests of the series at home.
Then New Zealand held them to a 0-0 in the two-Test series as the Babar Azam-led side failed to make use of home conditions. This led to questions being asked of Babar Azam and his captaincy, given that he was unable to reign in the England batters on pitches made to suit Pakistan bowlers.
During a press conference in Karachi, ahead of the Pakistan team’s tour of Sri Lanka, Azam was asked whether he will step down as captain if the Men in Green are unable to do well in the near future.
“Pakistan didn’t win Test matches last year because we didn’t play good Test cricket. I am giving my best as a captain. The question about changing me as captain can be better answered by the PCB,” Babar was quoted as saying by Geo Super TV.
The right-hander also confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed will be the first choice as wicketkeeper for the series.
“Sarfaraz will be obviously the first choice in Sri Lanka, but we will see there how conditions and situation would be there,” he said.
Mohammad Rizwan is also in the Pakistani squad and is the designated vice-captain of the Pakistani side.
Babar Azam Says Pakistan Spinners Will Be Seen Taking A Different Approach Against Sri Lanka
The first Test of the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on July 16 and the two teams will then travel to Colombo for the second Test at the Singhalese Sports Club from July 24 till 28.
And Babar Azam shed light on Pakistan’s approach against the spinners during the Sri Lanka tour.
“Pakistan has always dominated spinners even in Asian conditions. The batters of Pakistan are not afraid of spinners. You will see the different approach of Pakistani batters against spinners on the Sri Lanka tour,” he said.
Pakistan last toured Sri Lanka in July 2022 and that two-match Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood