AUS vs PAK: Babar Azam most important player for Pakistan, says Shan Masood

Listen to Story Pakistan captain Shan Masood has defended ahead of the third and final Test match vs Australia. Babar Azam had a really poor outing in Test cricket in 2023. The batter did not score a single half century in 2023 and was dropped as the Test captain in the aftermath of World Cup 2023. Amidst heavy criticism about the batter's lack of runs, Masood said that Babar has been putting in a lot of hark work in the nets.

"Babar Azam is our main player. We have no concerns over his performance. His approach is positive. He is practicing for hours in the nets and has great fitness. I am looking forward to him scoring big in the Sydney Test," Masood said in the press conference ahead of the final Test match. The team has been heavily criticised for its poor fielding.

Pakistan have dropped a host of catches in two Test matches and even gave away 52 extra runs in first innings of the Melbourne Test match. Abdullah Shafique was the main culprit for Pakistan in the slip cordon, but might continue to field in the position, hinted Masood. "In a game your hands are tied because slips are very specialised.

A lot of fielding places in Test cricket are very specialised. We had four genuine quick bowlers, so it was hard to get them into the slips. And then Abdullah Shafique has been a good slipsman for us and those are the guys that practise for hours every day," Masood said. "He's a brilliant slips fielder.

He's got age on his side. But I think if he doesn't feel comfortable, Babar is a decent first slipper," the captain concluded on the matter. Pakistan announced their playing XI a day ahead of their final Test match. ..