LONDON: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam said Wednesday there was nothing wrong with leaving a senior player out of the team if it was in the team’s best interest.
“Anyone who is good for the team will play,” Babar said at a news conference in London ahead of the second Test.
Babar acknowledged that Pakistan has struggled to maintain partnerships, with wickets often falling in quick succession after promising stands. He said the team was working to address the issue.
He said a new batter’s arrival at the crease can sometimes coincide with the dismissal of a set batter, making it difficult for the team to build long partnerships.
Babar said the pitch at Lord’s appeared to have grass on it and that the playing XI would be decided later. He added that no player was unimportant and that opportunities were sometimes given to players to build confidence.
Babar also said wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was under no pressure.
The captain said responsibility rested with the entire playing XI and that Pakistan could not expect its bowlers to take all 20 wickets while the batters failed to contribute.
Babar said he was fully fit and would play in the Lord’s Test. He added that Pakistan would aim to complete a hat trick of victories at the venue.