Babar Azam: "I don't have to prove anything"

The Pakistan captain is trying to ignore critics of himself and the team after the 74-run reverse in Rawalpindi

Nick Howson | 08/12/2022 at 14:43

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is paying no attention to the scrutiny that has followed the 74-run defeat in the first Test against England.

The hosts must avoid defeat in either of the final two matches, starting in Multan on Friday (December 9) to prevent back-to-back home Test series defeats for the first time since international cricket returned to the country in 2019.

Australia secured a 1-0 series win in March after victory at Lahore.

"I don’t have to prove anything regarding my credentials as a player," Babar, who scored an eighth Test century in the first Test, told the media on the eve of the game.

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^{Naseem Shah is a doubt for the second Test (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)}

"I try to enjoy my cricket and learn from my mistakes. I don't focus on what people say about me.

"My only aim is to help Pakistan win with my performances."

Babar is currently mulling over his XI for just the sixth Test at Multan and first since 2006.

Haris Rauf is ruled out of the remainder of the series with a quad strain while Naseem Shah is reportedly a doubt due to a troublesome shoulder injury he showed signs of during the first Test.

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^{Pakistan were beaten by Australia in March (ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)}

Should the teenager fail to prove his fitness, Pakistan must choose between Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr, uncapped at Test level, to fill the void.

Pakistan can't afford another misstep in pursuit of a place in the World Test Championship final. Remaining in the 2021-23 cycle is two Tests each against England and New Zealand.

"The Rawalpindi Test was in our hands but due to our own mistakes, we were unable to save the Test match," Babar added. "Back-to-back fall of wickets cost us the match.

"We want to play the final of the World Test Championship. We have made comebacks in the past and can do the same in the future as well."