Waqar Younis Explains The Rise Of Babar Azam As Test Captain

During an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Waqar Younis explained why Babar Azam has improved as the country’s Test captain, about his intention to accept a possible coaching offer again and about Pakistan’s potential match-winners in the ICC ODI World Cup i.e. scheduled to be played in India later in the year.

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Waqar Younis Reveals The Reason For The Success Of Babar Azam As Test Captain

Prior to the tour of Sri Lanka, Babar Azam was under massive pressure to keep his place as Pakistan’s Test captain. However, a 2-nil result during the tour not only allowed him to save his position but it has also resulted in raising his status as Pakistan’s skipper across formats. While commenting on Babar’s rise, his own desire to coach Pakistan again and on Pakistan’s chances during the world cup, Waqar said, “When you have got such a big name and also are an equally great player, then you do have that added extra pressure of batting. Batting pressure means that if I wouldn’t score runs, the team might end up losing, or maybe the team wouldn’t perform that well. So, I think Babar must have gotten rid of that monkey of his shoulder and felt a little less burdened. Other players performed well; some of the pressure must have been released from Babar, and subsequently, his performance, particularly with respect to captaincy on the field, significantly got better. This is what we saw, how he did bowling changes and kept switching bowlers at the right time; we saw some extended spells as well.”

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The former captain further said, “Pakistan team have handled pressure in a better way in the recent past. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter wherever you play, irrespective of whether in India or Pakistan, if you have your process in check and are executing your skills and plans sufficiently well, so I don’t think so we have any issue. We have match-winners, we have individuals that can win you matches single-handedly, including Babar himself. Shaheen – Fakhar can do wonders, then, of course, we have seen Imam playing great innings, so all-in-all, Pakistan has all the resources definitely, now it’s just the matter of putting things together and handling pressure.”

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While commenting on his intention to coach Pakistan again the former pacer further said, “Firstly, I haven’t been offered anything in the board. Secondly, even if they [PCB] do, I don’t think so I am in any position to take any post. I am happy with what I am doing. My children are at such an age where I need to spend more time with the family. Rest is my business and some commentary – which I think is the right way to go now.”