Newly appointed Test captain Babar Azam has made it clear that discipline, fitness and performance will be the cornerstones of his leadership, stressing that there will be no compromise on any of these standards.
Hw wiewed learned a great deal from his past experiences and believes he will lead the team this time with better planning and a more positive mindset.
Speaking on the PCB podcast, Babar Azam said it is always an honour to captain Pakistan. He added that with time come greater maturity and clarity, and that he has reviewed his past decisions as captain to learn from them.
Babar said he always tries to support young players during difficult times and reduce the pressure on them by communicating with them regularly. He emphasised that the team’s focus will be on discipline, fitness, and performance, with no compromise on any of these standards.
He also praised the National Cricket Academy (NCA) red-ball camp, calling it an important part of the team’s preparation. According to Babar, training in challenging conditions helps players become mentally and physically stronger.
He said the camp focused on handling match pressure and adapting to different game situations. Looking ahead to the West Indies tour, Babar acknowledged that it will be a tough challenge but expressed confidence in the team’s preparation. He noted that several players have experience playing county cricket in England, which will benefit the squad.
Speaking about his batting, Babar said his approach is always guided by the team’s requirements. He added that he welcomes constructive criticism and tries to apply any feedback that can help him improve.
It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier announced a 16-member Test squad for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England, with Babar Azam appointed as the team’s captain. Selection committee member Aqib Javed unveiled the squad during a press conference in Lahore.
The 16-member squad includes Babar Azam (captain), Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Owais, Abdullah Fazal, Salman Ali Agha, Ghazi Ghauri, Mohammad Rizwan, Sajid Khan, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Obaid Shah, Owais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad.
Pakistan will begin the tour with a two-match Test series against the West Indies, scheduled to be played from July 25 to August 6. The team will then travel to England for a three-match Test series, which will take place from August 19 to September 13.
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