Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has expressed confidence and a sense of improved readiness as he resumes leadership of the Test side, highlighting discipline, fitness, and performance as his core priorities. In an exclusive interview on Straight Drive with Salman Butt, Babar stated, “Whenever you get the opportunity to captain Pakistan, it is always an honour.” He added, “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 Past Captaincy and Learning from Experience
Babar acknowledged that his earlier captaincy tenure involved both successes and lessons. “As captain, you make good decisions and sometimes you feel you could have done better. When you sit down and reflect, you get a clearer picture. I have rebuilt my mindset, brought more clarity into it and taken things positively,” he said. He emphasized the importance of self-assessment and continuous improvement in leadership.
Supporting a Young Squad and Building Team Culture
Babar noted that Pakistan’s Test squad is young, featuring several performers from domestic cricket. He stressed the need to back players during challenging periods. “This is a young team with some of the best performers from domestic cricket. As a senior player and captain, my job is to take performances from them, keep them relaxed and back them in difficult times. International cricket is a pressure game, so I try to take pressure off the youngsters by speaking to them on and off the field,” he explained.
Three Pillars: Discipline, Fitness, and Performance
The captain outlined his main focus areas for the team: discipline, fitness, and performance. “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. Whenever I get the opportunity to lead, I always try to back the players, but I will not compromise on these three things,” Babar asserted.
Preparations for Upcoming Tours of West Indies and England
Looking ahead to the tours of West Indies and England, Babar revealed that the team has prepared specifically for the expected conditions. “We prepared according to the conditions we expect in the West Indies and England. The West Indies tour will be challenging, but we have prepared for it. In England, many of our players have county experience and understand the conditions, which will help us,” he said.
Batting Approach: Team First
Babar also discussed his personal batting philosophy, emphasizing adaptability to team needs. “Whenever I go out to bat, I do not think only about myself. I think about the responsibility and what the team requires from me. If the team needs me to play quickly in a Test match, I do that. If the situation requires defensive batting, I play that way. My focus is always on what is best for the team,” he concluded.
