Babar Says Pakistan Squad Shake-up was ‘News for Me Too’ Amid England Tests

Sports Desk

BIRMINGHAM: In what appears to be a surprising development, Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam on Tuesday revealed that he was unaware of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to overhaul the squad, which saw seven players, along with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, ousted during their ongoing three-match away Test series against England.

Pakistani captain was asked on the eve of the third Test against England whether he was part of the decision-making that went into the shake-up. In response to the question, the 31-year-old revealed that it was also a "news" for him and insisted that the cricket board could explain the decision better. "No, it was news for me too. I also came to know about this later. But as I said earlier, the PCB made this decision. [So], I think they will explain it better," said Babar.

When asked whether it would make things more difficult for the team to finalise the playing XI for the upcoming fixture, Babar disagreed and instead insisted that it was a "golden opportunity" for the youngsters to express themselves and showcase their talent.

"Yes, a surprise for us. But the new players are coming. They have a golden opportunity to grab and play this game," Babar stated. Earlier this week, the PCB also announced launching an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct during the national team's ongoing tour of England.

Consequently, the matter was brought up during Babar's press conference, but the Pakistan captain said he had no idea about the inquiry and neither was he part of the discussions surrounding it.

Responding to Javed's remarks, Babar insisted that he, alongside now-ousted head coach Sarfaraz, fielded the Playing XI they collectively thought was the "best" according to the conditions.

The Pakistan captain, however, acknowledged that the touring side was not up to the mark in any of the three departments and thus asserted that criticism follows when a side fails to deliver.

"If we talk about the last match, we didn't play well as a team in all three areas, batting, bowling and fielding. If you don't play as a team, if you don't get good results, such things will continue to happen," said Babar.

"But the playing XI we fielded at that time, reading the pitch and looking at the conditions, we felt that was the best. We just couldn't get the results as we should have," he added.

"For us, the series has been lost. But there is nothing to lose. We should play freely. We should believe in ourselves as a team. "As a team, we have been practising for a couple of days. We have talked to each other. We have explained to the new guys. "Whenever a new team comes. The youngster gets excited. That excitement is visible. Inshallah, you will see better things in the match."