Shahid Afridi, who was named interim chief selector by the PCB backs Pakistan captain Babar Azam and praises him as the “Backbone” of the Pakistan Cricket Team.
Afridi Backs Babar Azam
Pakistan cricket team has undergone a massive change, with a new chairman and selection committee coming in. Soon after the appointment, Shahid Afridi added three bowlers to the national team for the two-match home Test series against New Zealand.
As per the PCB, Afridi included fast bowler Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani, as well as off-spinner Sajid Khan, to the squad after discussing with captain Babar Azam.
In a chat with the media, Afridi said that he wants to see Babar’s name among the ‘world-class captains’ in the cricketing spectrum.
“See we are going to run this selection committee talking everyone together as it is not only a captain’s team. A lot of things that were pointed out earlier, we would like to cover them because we want good results.”
“Babar Azam is the backbone of our team. We would want him to join the list of world-class captains just the way he is a world-class player.”
“So we are basically here to support him and share our experiences (with him). We think we can help him in certain things where improvement as a captain is possible.”
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at a pre-match conference on Sunday that the changes in the board would not affect the players as they are professionals and are supposed to perform for the country.
“There have been changes but we are not concerned with that, our main focus is to win the series against New Zealand. We have no say in matters of the board,” he said.
As far as the first Test match of the series is concerned, Pakistan elected to bat first after winning the toss. After registering a “worst record” in Test history, Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam made a stand with Sarfaraz Ahmed for the 5th wicket while Pakistan scored 136 runs.
Babar Azam faces tons of criticism regarding his Test captaincy right after the team loses their 2 home Test series against Australia and England this year. Though Pakistan lost the WTC23 final race, they need to win the series against New Zealand to avoid the third consecutive Test series defeat at home.
