Shan Masood backs Babar Azam to ‘comeback stronger’ following Test omission

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has backed his teammate and star batter Babar Azam to make a stronger comeback following his omission from the Test side. After losing the first Test against England in Multan, the PCB formed a new selection committee, which took harsh calls, including dropping Babar and the seam duo of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for the remaining two Tests. Pakistan, however, went on to win the last two games and the first Test series at home since 2021.

Masood, who, alongside the coaches, was restricted to match-day decisions only, hails Babar, saying his omission will do more good to him than any harm. Masood added that he is no one to commenton Babar’s Test future but added that this break from cricket will benefit him.

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"I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to [say he doesn't have] 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 said during the chat with the BBC Stumped radio programme.

Babar has been in poor form lately, having not hit a Test hundred since December 2022 and in international cricket across any format since August 2023. His mediocre run with the bat cost Pakistan several times, both home and away, putting pressure on him, the captain, the team management and the selectors to justify his selection.

With Babar being picked for the Australia ODIs, starting Monday (Nov 4) in Melbourne, the selectors have restored faith in him to return fresh and with some runs under his sleeves.

"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.

Masood clears air on viral interview with Ramiz Raja

After winning the final Test in Rawalpindi, former Pakistan captain and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja conducted a post-match interview with Masood. His questions on how Masood led the side to six defeats before winning two matches against England made it very awkward for all present there and the viewers watching.

Though a short clip of that interview went viral, with Raja facing severe criticism for the same, he came out explaining what he meant in a separate video on his YouTube channel. Speaking on that, Masood said, "There are no hard feelings from my side.

"I've always been an open book in front of the media and tried to conduct myself in the best possible way. People have every right to ask questions however they want. I want to give the best account of myself and for my character to be reflected the way I am. I'm good at taking constructive criticism, and I'm also good at filtering stuff out,” he continued.

(With inputs from agencies)