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Despite several questions surrounding Babar Azam’s position in the scheme of things, Shan Masood has publicly backed him to come back stronger.
Babar Azam. (AP Photo)
Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood has broken his silence on Babar Azam’s absence from the longest format. Babar was dropped from Pakistan’s red-ball squad in the recently concluded Pakistan-England Test series. The decision sparked a lot of discussion on social media. Despite several questions surrounding Babar’s position in the scheme of things, Masood has publicly backed him to come back stronger. Speaking on the BBC Stumped Radio programme, the Test skipper described Babar as one of the world’s best. As per ESPNcricinfo, he said, “I think he’s [Babar Azam] one of the best batsmen in the world. I’m nobody to [say he doesn’t have] a future.”
Babar Azam only featured during the first fixture of the Test series against England. Competing at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Babar put up knocks of 30 and five across both innings. The abysmal individual showing from the top-order batter eventually led to his side’s loss by an innings and 47 runs. Defending his star batter’s poor show, Shan Masood suggested that sometimes players needed some time off the sport. “He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket. He’s always there or thereabouts in the rankings. Sometimes, people need a break,” he said.
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Speaking further, Shan Masood suggested that there was no harm in being dropped from the senior team for a ‘breather’. He said that the break would only make Babar Azam better in future competitions. “I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit and he’ll come back a stronger player. There’s no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He’s played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he’ll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan,” he said.
Babar Azam was not the only cricketer dropped during the Pakistan-England series. Star pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were also removed from the squad for the remaining two Tests. Their absence paved the way for Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali and Sajid Khan. The decision turned out to be decisive for the hosts as Pakistan overturned a 0-1 deficit to win the home series. After his addition to the squad, Sajid made an instant impact on the bowling front. He scalped 19 wickets in the remaining two matches to win the Player of the Series award. As for Babar Azam, it remains to be seen when the Pakistan star batter will resume international duty in Tests.
- Location :
Lahore, Pakistan
