Babar Azam Openly Sides With Mohsin Naqvi Over His Pakistan Teammates

Mohsin Naqvi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan [Source: AFP]

In recent times, Pakistan cricket has been facing much heat, which has changed many equations within the authority and the group of players as well. 

While match-fixing allegations during the ongoing tour of England have come up, Babar Azam, the current captain of the Pakistan Test team, has stated his viewpoint on the recent sackings.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the 3rd and Final Test at Birmingham, Babar was candid in his admission of the administrative decisions led by Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB and also cleared the air on his involvement in it.

Babar Azam supports Mohsin Naqvi’s sacking of 7 players and 2 coaches

After two straight defeats against England, the Pakistan team quickly removed 7 players from their Test squad while adding fresh faces and also appointed Mike Hesson as the Test coach.

These overnmight changes however was even unknown to Babar Azam himself as he admitted in the press conference.

"It was news to me as well. I only found out about all these things later. PCB made the decisions, so they can explain it to you better," Babar said.

While speaking of the sacking of players and officials, Babar affirmed that his thoughts lie on the same line as those of the apex cricket board led by Naqvi.

“Absolutely. As you mentioned, the PCB must have taken the decision after giving it some thought. I think it would be better if you asked them, and they would be able to explain it much better,” Babar said.

Babar, therefore, clearly took a stand for the PCB, backing their decision while looking over his closest friends like Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, among others.

Also Read- “Babar Azam Next To Be Fired”- Ex-Pakistan Captain Worried

Babar explains Mohsin Naqvi’s decision on sacking

Babar Azam then went on to explain how the decision from the PCB will help the team avoid an imminent whitewash in Birmingham. He stressed that the team is looking forward to a fresh approach in the ultimate game of the series.

“Absolutely. Then, at the end of the day, it’s the same thing — this is an opportunity for us as a team, as a group, that we are here playing this first match. So, we have to look at it that way. The series has been lost for us, but there’s nothing that can be done about that now.

What matters is that we really play our own game, go out onto the ground, and believe in ourselves as a team. We have practised together for the last couple of days, and during that time, we have spoken to each other a lot. 

New faces give Babar Azam confidence

Although the team have been blasted for defeats by margins of an innings and 103 runs and 194 runs in the 1st and 2nd Test respectively, Babar believes the revamped squad with names like Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas will be good strength for the overall challenge.

“We have also explained things to the new guys who have come in. They have also seen that whenever a new team comes in, whenever youngsters come into the group, there is a little bit of excitement. You can see that excitement in them. So, you will see better things from us in the match as well,” Babar concluded.

For the unaware, 4 out of the 7 new additions in the Pakistan revamped squad are uncapped players who might get a potential call-up for the Playing XI in the 3rd Test. 

Also Read- Babar Azam Breaks Silence On Match Fixing Inquiry By PCB, His Involvement In Player Axing