Joe Root and Babar Azam [Source: AFP]Babar Azam is all set to return to the Pakistan playing XI for the upcoming second Test against England. The legendary Pakistani batter was forced to miss the series-opener at Headingley in Leeds owing to a finger injury he sustained in a warm-up match a couple of weeks ago.A day before the second Test, Babar spoke with the reporters at a pre-match press conference in London. Apart from addressing the recent criticism thrown at the Pakistan team, the cricketer also vowed a stronger performance from his side in the impending five-day bout.Babar Azam reacts to Pakistan's criticism, vows stronger performanceWhile speaking with the reporters, Babar Azam addressed the recent criticism thrown towards the Pakistan cricket team by the English media.It is worth noting that several fans and cricket experts in England have labelled the current Pakistani batch as the “worst Pakistan side” of the last 50 years.Also Read- Breaking The Myth- Babar Azam's Reality, A Dream Or Hallucination For Pakistan?Responding to the “worst side” label, the Pakistan skipper said “Whenever something like this happens, we always step up as a team. We play a different brand of cricket.”Babar Azam also vowed a stronger performance from the Pakistan cricket team in the impending second Test, thus issuing a direct warning to Joe Root and co. at Lord’s in London.He said “This time, you’ll see something different from us.”Babar Azam returns to the nets, set to play second TestJust yesterday, Babar Azam returned to the nets for an intense batting session. According to a report from journalist Saleem Khaliq, the cricketer attended practice for the first time after a gap of four days. As per Pakistan bowling coach Umar Gul, the legendary right-handed batter faced fast bowlers, spinners as well as throwdowns in the nets. While Gul stated that the team management was “hopeful” for Babar’s return, the cricketer’s press conference session pretty much confirmed that the legendary batter will be leading the Pakistani side in London. How did Pakistan perform in 1st Test without Babar?In the absence of an injured Babar Azam, the Pakistan team management had appointed Agha Salman as Pakistan’s interim captain for the series-opener in Leeds. However, the visitors managed to bat less than 90 overs across both innings of the match, and bundled out for scores like 171 and 135 to fall to an innings defeat by 103 runs to England. Moreover, among the 20 Pakistan wickets that fell in the match, only Abdullah Shafique managed to register a half-century, doing so in the first innings with his composed 61-run knock.Babar’s absence from the playing XI costed Pakistan big time, considering the 31-year-old averages a prolific 65.75 in Test matches in English conditions.Pakistan to face England in must-win second TestTrailing 0-1 in the three-match tour, the Pakistan cricket team needs to win the impending second Test to level the series.With the return of Babar Azam as captain and a middle-order batter, the visitors will be hoping to put their disappointing first-Test performance behind them and bounce back strongly at Lord’s.Also Read- Indian Players In ETPL 2026- Teams, Squads, Record In T20 Leagues
