Sarfaraz expects 'good results' from Babar in second stint as Pakistan Test captain

KARACHI: Pakistan Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed on Wednesday pinned hopes on newly-appointed skipper Babar Azam to deliver good results as the star batter is set to start his second captaincy stint in the format with the two-match away series against West Indies later this month.

Babar, who had previously led Pakistan in 20 Tests during his maiden captaincy stint that spanned from 2020 to 2023, on Sunday replaced experienced top-order batter Shan Masood in the role, who could propel the national team to just four triumphs in 16 fixtures as the skipper.

On being reinstated as Pakistan's Test captain after three years, Babar, during an exclusive interview on Straight Drive with Salman Butt earlier this week, termed getting the opportunity to lead the national team an honour and asserted that he learnt a lot from his previous experience, thus expressing confidence to lead the team with adequate planning and a positive mindset.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz, who was retained as the head coach of the national men's Test team for the upcoming series against West Indies despite starting his tenure with a 2-0 whitewash away against Bangladesh in May, also threw his weight behind the 31-year-old batter to deliver goods for the Green Shirts.

"I had a conversation with Test captain Babar, and we expect good results from his captaincy," said Sarfaraz during a media interaction here on Wednesday.

Sarfaraz further shared that the national team's training camp for the West Indies will get underway on Thursday in Islamabad, which he insisted would help address the "fitness issues".

"Pakistan Test team's training camp begins in Islamabad tomorrow," Sarfaraz told reporters.

"There was a camp earlier in which fitness issues arose, some of which were resolved, while others will be addressed in the camp starting tomorrow," he added.