Babar fit to lead Pakistan in second test against England

LAHORE, Aug 26 (APP): Pakistan captain Babar Azam is fit and will lead the Green Shirts in the second test of the three-match rubber against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday. Pakistan trail the test series 0-1.

Addressing the pre-match press conference at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Wednesday, Babar made himself available for the Lord’s test and rest of the series, adding that he was 90 per cent fit and had participated in couple of practice sessions so far.

Babar Azam had to miss the first test against England due to a right hand finger injury which he had sustained during the second test match against West Indies and it aggravated in the practice game in Beckenham prior to the three-match test series against England.

Babar Azam, to a query, said that they will come back strong after defeat in the Headingley test, adding that anything could be expected from the Men in Green at Lord’s as the team has a reputation for putting up strong performances and raise their game after defeat.

On the playing eleven for the second test, Babar Azam said the playing eleven will be decided after a final look at the pitch after the practice session, adding that the pitch for the Headingley test had grass on it for the first two days and, later, it was quite different wicket. “Only then we will be able to decide the final eleven for the Lord’s test”, he added.

When asked about responsibility of bowlers to take 20 wickets for a win as claimed by Pakistan bowling coach Umer Gul, Pakistan captain Babaz Azam said it was a collective responsibility of bowlers and batters to win a game for the team, adding that if the the bowlers needed to take 20 wickets, the batters were required to bat long and build partnerships. Babar said onus was on the senior lads in the team to lead the way.

Babar Azam, when asked about non-performing senior players in the team, hinted at going for different combination in search of finding a new combination and a win. He said the team had the services of the best 14 cricketers in the team and they must perform.

On wicket-keeper batter Mohamamd Rizwan being under burden to perform big, the stylish right-hander batter said “No burden on Rizwan but responsibility. It’s not only Rizwan but all seniors – the seniors will have to step-up.” The senior players are responsible to drag the team out of difficult situations.

On batting implosion in crunch situations as marked feature of Pakistani batting line-up, Babar Azam said the senior players will have to take responsibility, adding it was unfortunate that set batters threw away wickets when they were needed to play long after fall of a wicket. He urged more focus from the batters.

On Abdullah Shafique’s batting order, Babar said that Abdullah will continue to batting at No. 3, adding that the batter also batter at 3 in the domestic cricket.

On team combinations, Babar Azam said that Salman Ali Agha was played as a second spinner in the team, adding that the pitch condition will dictate team combnation of the Lord’s test, adding that the Men in Green will try to improve their good win record at Lord’s.

On winning the last encounter against England in a test series in Pakistan, Babar Azam said they were playing at the Englishmen’s den and they will have to raise their game to win against them.

Babar Azam, to a query, said “it is an honor to be part of the team at Lord’s, adding that he will give his hundred percent at a batter and leader of the pack.”