‘Babar is our batting leader, no one will challenge his position’: Shan Masood

Pakistan Test team captain Shan Masood has said that former captain Babar Azam, is an excellent batsman and the team’s batting leader, stressing that, “No one will challenge his batting position,” as the team readies for departure to Australia.

While addressing a press conference in Lahore, Shan Masood said, “The Australian series is a challenge for all of us, the World Test Championship has started, and we are off to a good start and will try to play the final.”

Regarding his return to the team, Shan Masood said, “I was dropped after the tour of New Zealand, It took me time to come back. I am back after a year and a half but I tried to contribute whenever I got a chance.”

He said, “Playing for Pakistan is a big thing, captaining is even bigger but captaincy is a temporary thing, we should try to play well by showing responsibility, and we will try to perform well in Australia. Our team is not a brand-new team, it’s a balanced team.”

Stating that Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafiq are playing well together, Masood said he plays at number three domestically. Talking about Saim Ayub, the captain said he is a talented youngster, his batting approach is excellent.

The captain of the national team said. “We will take responsibility for the results, and we will improve what is not going well, there is criticism but we will definitely see constructive criticism.”

Shan Masood said, “Captaining Multan Sultans in the presence of Andy Flower was the turning point for me and captaining Derbyshire also gave me a lot of experience.”

On the question about Babar Azam, the captain of the national team said “The relationship with Babar Azam has always been good, we have been playing together for a long time, me and Babar have a very good understanding, Babar Azam is our batting leader.

“Sarfraz Ahmed has been a successful captain, I have played a lot of cricket with Sarfaraz Ahmed and it is very good to have him in the team. The combination will be decided according to the conditions there.”

Shaan Masood said, “Not having Naseem Shah is a big loss for us, I wish that Haris Rauf would also be a part of the team with us but he is not available.”