LAHORE: Pakistan’s newly appointed Test captain Babar Azam on Monday expressed confidence in leading the national team well, insisting that he has learned a lot from his previous experience as captain and player.
Babar, who earlier led Pakistan in 20 Tests during his first captaincy from 2020 to 2023, replaces experienced top-order batsman Shaun Masood.
During Masood’s tenure, Pakistan lost 12 matches, including two 2-0 series defeats at the hands of Bangladesh, while his only series win as captain came against England in 2024.
Babar, who was reinstated as Pakistan’s Test captain after three years, said during an exclusive interview on Straight Drive with Salman Butt that it was an honor to get the chance to lead the national team.
Babar also said that he has learned a lot from his previous experience and is thus confident of leading the team with adequate planning and a positive mindset.
“Whenever I get an opportunity to captain Pakistan, it’s always an honour,” Babar said in an exclusive interview on Straight Drive with Salman Butt.
I have learned a lot from my previous experience and playing time as a player, with time, you gain maturity and clarity. This time, with good planning and positive attitude, I am confident that I will lead the team better.
“As a captain, you take good decisions and sometimes you think you could have done better. If you sit down and think, you get a clearer picture. I rebuilt my mindset, brought more clarity to it and took things positively.
Babur also shared that his primary focus during his second Test captaincy will be on discipline, fitness and performance, stressing that these elements will be crucial to the team’s progress.
“My main focus is on three things: discipline, fitness and performance. These are very important for me as captain and for the team going forward,” Babbar said.
“Whenever I get a leadership opportunity, I always try to support the players, but I will not compromise on these three things,” he added.
Babar’s first assignment in his second Test captaincy is the two-match series against the West Indies, scheduled to be played from July 25 to August 6. Following the Caribbean tour, Pakistan will travel to England from August 19 to September 13 for a three-match series.
Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar said that the team has prepared for the conditions expected of them in both the tours and thus exudes confidence in the team to achieve victory.
“We have prepared for the conditions we expect in the West Indies and England. The West Indies tour will be challenging, but we have prepared for it. In England, many of our players have county experience and understand the conditions, which will help us.”