'I will defend...' - Babar Azam's strong take on captaincy amid pressure post England whitewash

Babar Azam's strong take on captaincy amid pressure post England whitewash (Image Source: Twitter)

Pakistan were the finalist of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 and on the other hand, there are going through a phase in what can be called their worst of all time in the longest format of the game. The English men toured Pakistan for a historic three-match Test series after 17 years and went to whitewash the Pakistani cricketers for the first time in their backyard in the history of 75 years. 

Chasing a target of 167, the Three Lions crushed Pakistan for an 8-wicket victory, with Ben Duckett’s playing a helping hand with his unbeaten 82. Babar Azam, the skipper of the Pakistani team, came under scrutiny for not being able to replicate the best strategies in the longest format of the game. 

As his men go into the revamping phase, Babar, on the other hand, finds himself in a place where his captaincy is at stake and his decision-making is being questioned left, right and centre. Much to the delight of the Pakistani fans, Babar dared to take the hard questions and gives his views on the same. 

I keep Pakistan front: Babar Azam

Starting with playing under pressure, Babar opened up on all of the probabilities that the future could hold for him. The right-handed batter said that he performs better under pressure and did not shy away from admitting to batting for other players as the captain of the team. Clarifying that is up to the players to up their game, Babar said that the coaches could give only roadmaps for every single match. 

“Captaincy is a matter of honour for me. I will do whatever best I can for my country and for myself. I enjoy it more when under pressure and it doesn't affect my batting. We could not apply ourselves in the series. I keep Pakistan first and the rest after that. So that motive and my aim is paramount,” Babar was quoted as saying after the humiliating loss. 

“I will defend other players as captain. I will take that front on... I will be there for others. Coaches give us plans and we have to execute that. It's for the players to step up,” the Pakistani skipper added. New Zealand are all set to take on the low-morale team that will face off for a two-match Test series that will get underway on December 26.