In a testament to the strong bond within the Pakistan Cricket Team, former captain Babar Azam continues to play a crucial role despite stepping down. As the team gears up for the AUS vs PAK Tests series, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed spoke highly of Azam’s impact.
The former Pakistan skipper revealed that despite no longer holding the captaincy, Babar Azam is actively providing his insights as a veteran player in the camp. Alongside newly appointed captain Shan Masood, Azam’s role is a significant contribution to the team’s camaraderie.
“Congratulations to Shan Masood on his appointment as captain, and it’s commendable to witness Babar Azam providing his insights as a senior player in the camp. His role as a former captain, assisting Shan Masood, is truly admirable,” revealed Ahmed.
Babar Azam voluntarily stepped down after Pakistan’s disastrous performance in the ODI World Cup in India. The team restructured its leadership, with Shan Masood taking over as the new Test captain. Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as the white-ball skipper.
Pakistan all set for AUS vs PAK Test
Pakistan is set to face Australia in a highly anticipated 3-match Test series starting on December 14, with hopes high for a turnaround under the leadership of Shan Masood. The Pakistani side, however, has never won a Test series against Australia and hasn’t claimed a Test victory since 1995.
Despite this historical challenge, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed remains optimistic about Pakistan’s chances. Speaking ahead of the series opener, Sarfaraz emphasized that Pakistan boasts a strong side capable of competing effectively against Pat Cummins’ team.
“Australia boasts good batters, but we are no less. With Abdullah, Babar, Imam, Saud, and Agha in our ranks, we are well-equipped for the challenge. Shaheen and Hasan are exceptional, and we have the likes of Mir Hamza, Khurram Shehzad, and Fahim, who have proven their mettle in domestic competitions,” said Sarfaraz.
“It is not an upset. If you talk about our team, it is a settled team. We want to play good quality cricket against a top team, so hoping for the best,” he added.
Pakistan Squad for Australia Tests
Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
