![Babar Azam has issued a clarification [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794124232150_Babar_Azam.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam has issued a clarification [Source: AFP]
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently unveiled the entire Pakistan squad for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka at home. Earlier this week, the Pakistan selection committee confirmed a couple of changes to the squad as they dropped Abdullah Fazal and Ali Usman at an expense of four new additions.
While Babar Azam will continue to serve as Pakistan captain in the series, the legendary batter recently re-affirmed his role (or lack of it) in team selection matters.
Babar Azam says he has no role in picking Pakistan team
While speaking with the reporters, Babar Azam was asked to explain the thought process behind the selection matters of the Pakistan cricket team.
Even though the legendary batter is the captain of the current Pakistan Test side, he once again claimed that he has no role in selection matters and his job is merely to get the best out of the available players.
Babar Azam added that the coach and the selection committee pick the team, while his primary task is to lead the Pakistan team to victories by getting his players to perform on the field.
The senior batter said, “The coach & selectors have picked the team. My job is to get the best out of the players, ensure they perform on the field & lead the team to victory.”
The cricketer remarked the same just a day prior to Pakistan’s series-opening first Test match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. It is worth noting that the legendary batter was re-appointed as Pakistan captain earlier this year as a replacement for struggling skipper Shan Masood.
Since becoming captain, Babar Azam led his Pakistan team to a crushing 0-3 defeat in England and a 1-1 draw in the Caribbean.
Pakistan selection committee scrutinized for recent decisions
It may not come as a complete surprise for Babar Azam to distance himself from the Pakistan selection committee as much as possible.
Just a few months ago, the selection committee drew much flak from Pakistan fans and cricket experts for dropping seven Pakistan players midway into the Test series in England. Some of the dropped players included senior pros like Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha and Imam-ul-Haq.
The committee added seven other players as replacements, including several debutants, but Pakistan still lost the Test series 0-3 to the hosts.
To make matters worse, the selection committee has now called back Salman Agha for Pakistan’s upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
The committee’s inconsistent selection decisions have continued to raise questions among fans and experts over its approach to team composition.
