Babar Azam Does Not Like Much Chopping And Changing; He Backs A Trusted Set Of Players: Shadab Khan

Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan has opened up on Babar Azam’s style of captaincy. Babar Azam quite recently succeeded Azhar Ali as Test captain and replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as the limited-overs skipper in late 2019. Having enjoyed success as a batsman across formats, there are expectations from him to take the national team to great heights. Nevertheless, according to Shadab Khan, Babar does not prefer too much changing and chopping.

As a limited-overs captain, Babar Azam has seen a low in Zimbabwe, where Pakistan failed to achieve almost a run-a-ball target in a T20I. But the 26-year old has not suffered any series losses in recent times, notably beating South Africa in their backyard in both ODIs and T20Is. As for Test cricket, Azam has a perfect captaincy record as a skipper, but more daunting challenges await for him. According to several former Pakistan cricketers, Babar needs to have a greater say in the selection.

Shadab Khan, who is currently quarantining in Abu Dhabi ahead of the second phase of PSL 2021, revealed that Babar Azam gives a lot of confidence to players, even those who undergo a lean patch. The spin-bowling all-rounder underlined that the number one ODI batsman backs a set of trusted players. Khan believes it’s the right way to go because changing and chopping does not facilitate in building a team for the long run.

“Sometimes, players you have high hopes on don’t perform, and you have to get strict. That’s how a team is built. But Azam gives a lot of confidence to such players, which is very helpful, because if you keep making changes, then you cannot build a proper team. He always backs a trusted set of players,” Khan told Cricket Pakistan.

We are on very good terms with each other: Shadab Khan

Shadab Khan further said that even though their international careers began almost at the same juncture, Babar Azam started performing exceptionally well when he came in. The 22-year old remarked that he and Babar get along quite well as they repeatedly discuss cricket and cricket-related issues. Shadab also underlined that he keeps giving his captain suggestions and inputs on leading, but he said that the team must benefit from it.

“Our careers began almost simultaneously. He started a little early but was struggling a bit then. But by the time I came in, he was performing really well. We are on very good terms with each other, and we always discuss cricket and our cricket-related issues with each other. Our effort remains that whatever team is selected, the final decision is arrived on mutually. Of course, Azam has to lead the side, so he takes decisions accordingly. He always takes suggestions, and I try my best to give him proper inputs. At the end of the day, the team must benefit,” he added.

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