Pakistan Take a look at captain Babar Azam speaks throughout an interview with Salman Butt (not pictured) on this nonetheless taken from a video, launched on July 6, 2026. — PCB
Pakistan Take a look at captain Babar Azam has stated that he wouldn’t compromise on three issues as he as soon as once more heads the facet within the lengthy format.
“My main focus is on three things: discipline, fitness and performance. These will matter a lot for me as captain and for the team going forward,” Babar, who was named because the Take a look at facet captain on Sunday, stated in an unique interview on Straight Drive with Salman Butt.
He added: “Whenever I get the opportunity to lead, I always try to back the players, but I will not compromise on these three things.”
The skipper stated that every time one will get the chance to captain Pakistan, it’s all the time an honour.
“I have learnt a lot from my previous experience as captain and also from the time I played as a player. With time, you gain maturity and clarity. I am confident that this time, with good planning and a positive mindset, I will lead the team well.”
Reflecting on his earlier captaincy tenure, Babar said he had reviewed his decisions and tried to learn from the experience.
“As captain, you make good choices and typically you are feeling you may have achieved higher. If you sit down and mirror, you get a clearer image. I’ve rebuilt my mindset, introduced extra readability into it and brought issues positively.”
Babar said Pakistan have a young squad, including several performers from domestic cricket and stressed the importance of backing players during difficult phases.
“It is a younger crew with a few of the finest performers from home cricket. As a senior participant and captain, my job is to take performances from them, maintain them relaxed and again them in tough occasions. Worldwide cricket is a strain sport, so I attempt to take strain off the children by chatting with them on and off the sphere.”
Speaking about the recently held NCA Red-Ball Camp, Babar said the camp was important for the players and the team as a whole, especially with Test cricket in mind.
“This camp was crucial for us as a crew, as gamers and as a gaggle. In Take a look at cricket, we felt that we have been lagging behind in health at occasions, whether or not in batting, bowling or fielding. On this camp, our focus was health, fielding and endurance. Coaching in powerful situations helps gamers turn out to be stronger and prepares them higher for match strain.”
Babar said the team management had worked with players on handling pressure situations and responding to different match scenarios.
“We mentioned the best way to deal with strain in a match, the best way to come out of powerful conditions and the best way to counterattack when the opposition has plans for you. Coaches spoke to the gamers, and as a senior participant, I additionally attempt to share my expertise with them.”
Looking ahead to the tours of the West Indies and England, Babar said Pakistan had prepared keeping the expected conditions in mind.
“We ready in accordance with the situations we anticipate within the West Indies and England. The West Indies tour will probably be difficult, however we have now ready for it. In England, a lot of our gamers have county expertise and perceive the situations, which is able to assist us.”
Babar also spoke about his batting approach, saying he always tries to play according to the team’s requirements.
“At any time when I’m going out to bat, I don’t assume solely about myself. I take into consideration the duty and what the crew requires from me. If the crew wants me to play shortly in a Take a look at match, I do this. If the state of affairs requires defensive batting, I play that method. My focus is all the time on what’s finest for the crew.”
On outside noise and criticism, Babar said players listen to constructive feedback but try to ignore negativity.
“Everybody has their very own perspective, and we can’t change that. We hearken to good issues, and if one thing is beneficial, we attempt to apply it. In any other case, we attempt to ignore the unfavorable issues.”
For young cricketers aspiring to play for Pakistan, Babar said:
“My message is straightforward: consider in your self and maintain working onerous. You’ll not get ends in per week or a month, however routines matter. The extra you comply with your routines and maintain bettering your sport, the higher will probably be for you.”
Babar also urged fans to continue supporting the team, especially as a young group prepares for challenging assignments.
“The expectations of followers are all the time excessive and we all know they need Pakistan to carry out properly in each match. Generally as a crew, you execute your plans and typically you don’t get the specified outcomes. That’s the fantastic thing about the sport, you study from each successful and dropping. We anticipate the followers to assist us and we are going to attempt our greatest to fulfill their expectations.”
