Shan Masood Lauds Babar Azam as One of the Best Batsmen in the World
Masood expressed confidence that the time off would serve Babar well, allowing him to return rejuvenated. "I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit, and he'll come back a stronger player. There's no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He's played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he'll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan," he added.
Pakistan's Test captain Shan Masood has publicly praised Babar Azam, recognizing him as one of the premier batsmen globally despite the latter's recent struggles in Test cricket. Babar has faced a challenging period, managing to score only 352 runs across his last nine Tests and 17 innings, averaging a mere 20.71, with his highest score being 41. In his overall Test career, Babar has accumulated 3,997 runs in 55 matches, boasting an average of 43.92, along with nine centuries and 26 fifties, with a personal best of 196.
Amidst these challenges, Masood defended Babar's future, stating that his skills and abilities firmly place him among the elite in the sport. "I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to [say he doesn't have] a future. He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket. He's always there or thereabouts in the rankings. Sometimes, people need a break," Masood commented, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Masood expressed confidence that the time off would serve Babar well, allowing him to return rejuvenated. "I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit, and he'll come back a stronger player. There's no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He's played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he'll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan," he added.
Earlier in October, Babar resigned from his position as captain of the Pakistan men's white-ball team, a decision that was accepted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In light of this, the PCB announced that wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan would take over as the new white-ball captain, with Salman Ali Agha serving as vice-captain.
The Pakistan squad has arrived in Australia ahead of their limited-overs series, with the first ODI set to take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. As they prepare for the upcoming matches, the team will be looking to build on their performances and support their players, including Babar Azam, through this transitional phase.
