KARACHI: Pakistani captain Babar Azam was bombarded with questions about his future as captain after a winless Test season at home.
Speaking to the media ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, Babar shut down a reporter when asked if he was considering quitting as Test captain due to his poor home record since the year last.
“I think we have a series of white balls now and the test matches are over. So if you have any questions about this series of white balls, ask them,” Babar replied on Sunday.
When Babar was questioned again about his role as captain and whether it affected his stick, he retorted, “I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. I know how I am. My goal is to perform well for Pakistan.”
Babar also said the players were excited about the one-day series starting at the National Stadium on Monday.
“In the white ball formats we performed well and we want to continue that momentum against New Zealand, although we know they are a very good team and it will be a tough series for both teams,” he said. he added.
Babar also clarified that he had no problem with caretaker head coach Shahid Afridi over player selection and said he and the head coach give their opinion and outline their plans to coaches regularly and during meetings. meetings.
“I think we’re on the same page, which is important. We have our best bowlers back and hopefully we can do well against New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson says it has not been decided how his side will play in the three-game series as it will all depend on the conditions.
“We have followed a particular pattern in white-ball cricket and we will want to do that, but it is a new experience for some of our players to play in the conditions of the subcontinent and they will have to adapt accordingly during the match.”
Williamson, who last scored around 100 ODIs in 2019, said he wasn’t pushed by it because what was important was everyone getting runs at the right time for the game. ‘team.
The three ODI matches will be played within the week in Karachi and Williamson said he has not decided to replace fast bowler Matt Henry, who was left out of the white ball series in Pakistan and India in due to injury.
Speaking to the media ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, Babar shut down a reporter when asked if he was considering quitting as Test captain due to his poor home record since the year last.
“I think we have a series of white balls now and the test matches are over. So if you have any questions about this series of white balls, ask them,” Babar replied on Sunday.
When Babar was questioned again about his role as captain and whether it affected his stick, he retorted, “I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. I know how I am. My goal is to perform well for Pakistan.”
Babar also said the players were excited about the one-day series starting at the National Stadium on Monday.
“In the white ball formats we performed well and we want to continue that momentum against New Zealand, although we know they are a very good team and it will be a tough series for both teams,” he said. he added.
Babar also clarified that he had no problem with caretaker head coach Shahid Afridi over player selection and said he and the head coach give their opinion and outline their plans to coaches regularly and during meetings. meetings.
“I think we’re on the same page, which is important. We have our best bowlers back and hopefully we can do well against New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson says it has not been decided how his side will play in the three-game series as it will all depend on the conditions.
“We have followed a particular pattern in white-ball cricket and we will want to do that, but it is a new experience for some of our players to play in the conditions of the subcontinent and they will have to adapt accordingly during the match.”
Williamson, who last scored around 100 ODIs in 2019, said he wasn’t pushed by it because what was important was everyone getting runs at the right time for the game. ‘team.
The three ODI matches will be played within the week in Karachi and Williamson said he has not decided to replace fast bowler Matt Henry, who was left out of the white ball series in Pakistan and India in due to injury.
