Pakistan test captain Shan Masood feels Babar Azam’s break from the test will benefit the star batter rather than destroy him.

Babar Azam has been receiving a lot of criticism in recent days due to his performance. He was omitted from the Pakistan squad for the second and third series of the recently concluded test series against England, in which the hosts claimed a 2-1 victory.

While speaking at a radio programme, Shan Masood said, “I think he’s one of the best batsmen in the world. I’m nobody to [say he doesn’t have] a future.”

“He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket. He’s always there or thereabouts in the rankings. Sometimes, people need a break.”

Pakistan has indicated Babar Azam has not been axed from the game as he was named in the Pakistan squad for the Australia series. This will be the first ODI series after Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup campaign after which Babar Azam quit as captain.

Babar Azam’s absence from Pakistan’s test side will be temporary, as Masood expects him to make a stronger comeback. Babar Azam has not scored a half-century in 18 test innings stretching back to 2022.

“I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit and he’ll come back a stronger player,” Masood said.

“There’s no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He’s played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he’ll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan.”

Masood did not spill many of what his role entails. After Pakistan’s new selection committee took over after the side’s defeat in the first England tests, Jason Gillespie was removed from the selection panel Meanwhile the white ball coach Gary Kirsten who had a dispute with the board resigned from the role earlier this week.

Masood said he had a good relationship with incoming selectors, insisting he wants to focus on the team. “People in Pakistan are quick to give success to individuals,” he said.

“To make one person a hero. I think it’s always going to be a collective thing. I’d rather pass credit onto everyone else; it was a collective decision. When we sat down together in our first meeting, we were on the same page. We said ‘we need to take 20 wickets, how do we take 20 wickets?’

“We thought playing on a used pitch, playing three spinners – that, we thought, would benefit us greatly. I’ve worked with three different setups in my tenure so far.”

“My first series in Australia was different, the Bangladesh series was different, and then we’ve had this group of people that were involved in selection and leadership. I’ve been on the same page with them so far.”

“At the end of the day, it’s about Pakistan cricket, and we’re very fortunate that the entire collective came together.” He also spoke about the awkward exchange with commentator Ramiz Raja with the latter querying the captain for the side’s consecutive defeats.

“There are no hard feelings from my side,” Masood laughed. “I’ve always been an open book in front of the media and tried to conduct myself in the best possible way.”

“People have every right to ask questions however they want. I want to give the best account of myself and for my character to be reflected in the way I am. I’m good at taking constructive criticism and I’m also good at filtering stuff out,” he concluded.