Captain Shan Masood confident for Australia tour: Babar Azam’s key role and team unity in focus

LAHORE: In a press conference held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood conveyed confidence in the team’s lineup for the upcoming Australia tour, highlighting the unwavering position of star batter Babar Azam.

Masood assured that Babar Azam’s batting position would remain unchanged, underlining his pivotal role in shaping the team’s strategy.

The captain expressed satisfaction with the team’s selection process, citing a unified approach among team members.

“Our Test team is settled, and the World Test Championship has already started on that note,” Masood stated, hinting at the consistent opening pair of Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq, with himself slated to bat at number 3.

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Acknowledging the significance of Babar Azam as the team’s premier batter, Masood affirmed, “You build your team around your best batter, so his position will not be tinkered with.”

Regarding squad selection, Masood mentioned the recognition of domestic performers Saim, Khurram Shehzad, and Mir Hamza.

However, he highlighted the importance of player availability, referencing Haris Rauf and the need to respect player decisions.

While asserting a reluctance to make unnecessary changes to the settled team, Masood stressed the team’s intent to win in Australia, reflecting in their playing approach.

Masood addressed the presence of past captains in the team positively, seeing it as an asset that eases the captain’s responsibilities.

He stressed a collective leadership approach, with players like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Babar Azam contributing valuable insights on the field.

Speaking about his relationship with predecessor Babar Azam, Masood mentioned a “really good relationship” both on and off the field.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s presence was deemed “very important,” credited with changing the style of Pakistan’s batting. Masood highlighted the valuable experience of players like Sarfaraz, Rizwan, and Babar, crucial for the challenging tour of Australia.

On the bowling front, Shan Masood admitted the absence of a fully settled unit, particularly with Naseem Shah unavailable. The captain acknowledged the success in Sri Lanka and emphasized the need for clarity in the fast bowling combination once in Australia.

The Pakistan squad is scheduled to depart from Lahore on November 30, with three Test matches in Australia slated from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024.