‘I don’t need to satisfy anyone’: Babar Azam responds to criticism on captaincy

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has responded to criticism on his captaincy ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Karachi.

Azam said that he is focused on winning matches for Pakistan rather than paying attention to criticism.

“My job is to play cricket and enjoy it. I don’t need to satisfy or answer anyone. I know what my game and responsibility is while batting or captaincy. I don’t need to make anyone happy, my job is to win matches for Pakistan,” Azam said during a press conference on Sunday.

Azam also remained tight-lipped on Pakistan’s playing XI for the first ODI on Monday, January 9.

“I have not looked at the pitch. We will decide our playing XI after assessing the pitch. We will try to field our best XI,” he said.

“We will try to continue our momentum in white-ball cricket,” he added.  

The Pakistan skipper also stated that the selectors and team management are on the same page.

“The captain, coach and chief selector are on the same page because that’s important for the betterment of the team. We conveyed our opinion to the chief selector on selection of players,” he said.  

Pakistan have a chance to become the number one ODI team in the world during the upcoming series against New Zealand.

If Pakistan whitewash New Zealand 3-0 during the three-match series, they will jump to the number one spot in the rankings with 114 rating points.

The Men in Green are currently in fifth place with 107 rating points. Meanwhile, New Zealand are at the top of the table with 116 rating points.

If Pakistan win the ODIs against New Zealand, it will be their fourth series win in a row.

In their previous three ODI series, Pakistan have defeated Netherlands, West Indies and Australia.

Schedule

9 January – 1st ODI, Karachi

11 January – 2nd ODI, Karachi

13 January – 3rd ODI, Karachi

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