Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed hope on Friday that Babar Azam, who had been recalled for the upcoming three-match series against Australia, would continue his PSL form. In the 11th HBL Pakistan Super League edition that concluded earlier this month, Babar finished as the highest run-getter for the season and also led his side, Peshawar Zalmi, to lifting the trophy. He also struck two spectacular centuries in the season against Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United. Babar’s return to form in the PSL followed a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign by Pakistan, during which the former captain was seen struggling. Subsequently, he was not included in the squad for the away ODI series against Bangladesh in March. After he was recalled for the Australia series, scheduled from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, Shaheen said during a press conference on Sunday that Babar had been the “backbone” of Pakistan’s middle order. “We hope that his form from PSL continues and he wins matches for Pakistan,” the skipper added. On the inclusion of new players in the team for the series, he said selectors had been trying to giving young players a chance for the past two to three series so that “we have more opportunities” while selecting the team for the World Cup. He was also asked for his opinion on Coach Mike Hesson’s statements that some players were unable to “give their 100 per cent” and efforts were needed to optimise their performance. Shaheen responded by saying everyone should work on improving their performance and the coach would have spoken to the players he was talking about. Speaking for himself, he said he “does not note any player individually … I focus on the performance as a team. But the head coach sees things differently, he must have spoken to those players and they should improve”. In response to a question about fast bowlers not being able to keep up the pace that the Pakistani side is known for, Shaheen said they were working on improving and getting back their pace. He also said that “all of us will try to win matches for the team. This is our duty, as well as our responsibility.” Asked about Muhammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the team and whether the inclusion of Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir meant the more experienced player would also not be selected for the World Cup, he said: “No, don’t reach conclusions in haste. I and Babar were also dropped in the past … If Rizwan is not in the series, that doesn’t mean that his cricket has ended. “You always give opportunity to young players … Someone should get an opportunity if we want to constitute a team for the World Cup … But nobody can end anyone’s career.” Two years ago, Rizwan led Pakistan to their first ODI series win in Australia since 2002. Apart from him, Pakistan will also miss regular openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, who both miss the series with injuries. Under-strength Australia and Pakistan meet in the first of three one-day internationals in Rawalpindi on Saturday, aiming to build strong combinations for next year’s World Cup. Shaheen hoped his team would show improvement and make their 1,000 ODI memorable. “It’s a special occasion of 1,000 match so we want to make it memorable,” said Shaheen. Australia will play in the series without their regular skipper Pat Cummins along with his pace partners Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and opener Travis Head — all rested to manage their workloads following their stints in India’s T20 League. Mitchell Marsh, initially appointed captain for the tour, was also ruled out with an ankle injury, leaving Josh Inglis to lead the series with the last two matches in Lahore on June 2 and 4. Despite being depleted, Inglis termed the Australian squad as talented enough to put up a good fight. “Obviously, disappointing to lose Mitch and unfortunately we are missing some others but we have some exciting players in the squad,” said Inglis on Friday. Australia will look to draft in 19-year-old batter Ollie Peake and pace allrounder Liam Scott while lanky pacer Billy Stanlake makes a return after a seven-year gap. Inglis said the Pakistan team will not be taken lightly. “Pakistan is a seriously good cricket team and they are not to be taken lightly and we have to be on top of our game to come up against them,” said the stand-in skipper. Pakistan is going through a heat wave in the summer and to minimise the effect of stifling weather, the matches will start as late as 4:30pm. Inglis admitted weather will be a challenge with players coming from winter in Australia. “It’s been very hot and challenging, but thankfully it’s a late start so it will be cool by the time we start,” said Inglis, who has led Australia in one ODI two years ago.
Source: Original report
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