Pakistan Test skipper Shan Masood has addressed the ongoing concerns surrounding the form of star batter Babar Azam, who has been struggling to find his form for a long time. Shan Masood expressed his unwavering support for Babar, outlining Babar’s resilience and ability to bounce back. Recently, Babar, due to his batting inconsistency, had been excluded from Pakistan’s squad for the second and third Test matches against England, which Pakistan won to claim the series 2-1.
"I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to deny him a future. He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket. He's always there or thereabouts in the rankings. Sometimes, people need a break,” Masood told the BBC stumped radio programme.
Babar, however, has been named in the squad for Pakistan’s white-ball series against Australia, beginning November 4 with ODIs. Babar, who has been a linchpin in Pakistan’s batting lineup for years, has faced a challenging period with his recent performances. But, skipper Masood remains optimistic, expecting him to come back stronger.
"I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit and he'll come back a stronger player. There's no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He's played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he'll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan,” Masood said.