I don’t have to prove anything: Babar Azam

Pakistan captain says he is under no pressure

December 08, 2022
Babar Azam is one of the best batters in the world — AFP

MULTAN: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has brushed aside the notion that he is under any sort of pressure ahead of the second Test against England in Multan.

While speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Azam reiterated that he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone.

“I am under no pressure and always try to give my best on the field,” said Azam. “I don’t have to prove anything regarding my credentials as a player. I try to enjoy my cricket and learn from my mistakes.”

“I don’t focus on what people say about me. My only aim is to help Pakistan win with my performance,” he added.

Azam also backed his team to play the final of the World Test Championship next year. Pakistan are currently in fifth position on the table and need to win all of their remaining matches in order to have a chance of playing the final.

After the remaining two Tests against England, Pakistan will play two matches versus New Zealand on home soil.

“We want to play the final of the World Test Championship. We have made comebacks in the past and can do the same in the future as well,” he said.

The Pakistan skipper also spoke about the future of veteran batter Azhar Ali, who has struggled for runs in the recent past.

"Azhar Ali is our senior player. I will support him as captain but it is up to Azhar Ali himself to decide his future," he said.

Azam also said that Pakistan fluffed a great opportunity to win the first Test against England in Rawalpindi.

It must be noted that England took full advantage of winning the toss — and their batting depth — to win the first Test by 74 runs Monday on a dead wicket that offered nothing to the bowlers.

Rawalpindi yielded 1,768 runs in four innings — the third most in Test history — with seven individual centuries and five 50s.

"The Rawalpindi Test was in our hands but due to our own mistakes we were unable to save the Test match. Back-to-back fall of wickets cost us the match,” he concluded. 

Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.

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