KARACHI: Pakistan test cricket team captain Shan Masood on Monday backed former skipper Babar Azam to find his batting touch as his side look to end their win drought in the upcoming three-match Test series against England starting next week.
During a press conference in Karachi, Captain Shan Masood emphasized the urgency for his side to break their dry spell after a disappointing 10 consecutive home Tests without a victory since February 2021.
“It’s not acceptable for Pakistan to not win a home Test for that long, and we accept the responsibility for that,” Masood said. “As a cricketing nation, we all are hurt right now.”
One focal point of Masood’s support was Babar Azam, the team’s star batter who has struggled to find form recently. In the two Tests against Bangladesh, Azam managed a mere 64 runs, marking a significant dip in his performance as he has not surpassed fifty in his last 16 Test innings, dating back to December 2022.
Masood expressed confidence in Azam’s abilities, asserting, “We all know Babar is one of the top batters in the world. Despite not scoring big runs, the good thing is that he is not out of form; we have to back him.”
The upcoming series against England is particularly critical for Pakistan, who last faced England at home in 2022 and suffered a 3-0 series defeat. The first Test is set to kick off in Multan on October 7, with subsequent matches scheduled in the same city on October 15 and in Rawalpindi on October 24.
Masood assured fans that the team is determined to reverse their fortunes. “I assure you that everyone is eager to stage a comeback in this series and take Pakistan cricket in a good direction,” he said.
Reflecting on the pressures of captaincy, Masood noted, “For me, pressure is a thing of privilege because leading your country is a great honour, but with it comes responsibility.”
His captaincy is slated to continue until May 2025, and he acknowledged that the success of the upcoming series will be critical. “If results are good, then I will serve; if not, then I will be punished. I don’t run away from challenges, and this coming series is also very challenging.”
