Play your natural cricket: Babar Azam delivers clear message ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
Play your natural cricket: Babar Azam delivers clear message ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
RAWALPINDI: By Nawaz Gohar ; National test captain Babar Azam expressed strong confidence in his side's prospects for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, revealing that the team management has given a clear directive to the younger players: go out and play your natural, fearless game.
Speaking to a select group of sports journalists in the media box at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday morning, Babar set a positive tone for the series despite carrying the personal and collective pressures that come with leading the national side.
Clad in the iconic Pakistan Test whites, the skipper addressed a range of pressing topics, including squad selection, his personal batting form, and advice from former legends.
"There are positive things to look forward to in this series," Babar remarked. "We have a lot of new faces in the squad. Our message to them is crystal clear: play your natural game without any hesitation."
Addressing questions about his recent dip in run-scoring, Babar maintained a clear mindset and acknowledged that self-improvement is a continuous journey in international sport.
"Every cricketer goes through phases where the runs don't flow as expected. I put in the hard work every single day, and my mindset is completely clear. I am actively consulting with our coaches to address where I am falling short," he noted. "When I get out, it’s due to my own mistake. At the end of the day, an out is an out, regardless of how the delivery behaves."
Responding to public remarks made by former batting legend Mohammad Yousuf on social media, Babar reiterated his respect for senior greats, adding: "Yousuf bhai spoke on social media rather than contacting me directly. If he reaches out, I will gladly learn from him—he is a legend of Pakistan cricket."
Babar also cleared the air regarding his involvement in squad selection, emphasizing his focus on performance rather than administrative debates. "My role is to get the best performance out of the 15 players given to me. Selection committee matters don't need to be aired everywhere. Where my input is sought, I provide it freely," he stated.
While recognizing that Sri Lanka has adjusted well after spending the past month competing in Pakistan, Babar highlighted that home crowd support and familiar pitch conditions would work in Pakistan's favor.
