Babar Azam’s suggestions should hold more value during squad selection: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi stated that Babar Azam’s opinions should hold importance during team selections. Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named the squads for the series against Zimbabwe and South Africa. If reports are to be believed, the 26-year-old Babar wasn’t happy with certain players being picked and with the ones left out.

The Lahore-born Babar expressed his agony over not being consulted and is reported to have spoken to Wasim Khan, the PCB’s chief executive. Afridi, who recently played for Multan Sultans in the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL), stated that any sort of disagreements inside the board shouldn’t come out in the media.

Afridi bats for Babar Azam

“Babar Azam will lead the team in the middle and will be responsible for the team’s performances. Hence, his suggestions should hold more value during squad selection,” Afridi was quoted as saying in Cricket Pakistan.

“There can be difference of opinion between the chief selector and captain, but such things should remain behind closed doors and not come out in the media,” he stated.

Not only Afridi, but Babar also got support from former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq. The latter lashed out at the PCB for not allowing Babar to put forth his opinions in team selections.

“Babar Azam is not impressed with the team selection, and Mohammad Wasim is saying ‘it’s not your concern’. How can Mohammad Wasim say such a thing to Babar Azam? This is surprising. Now, where are those statements of Mohammad Wasim and the policies of the board saying that the captain will have the full authority and will have the main role in the selection?” Inzamam told.

After being appointed as the skipper of the Pakistan team, Babar hasn’t disappointed. In the home Tests and T20Is against South Africa, Babar guided his team to victory. He also had an impressive campaign for the Karachi Kings in the 2021 PSL.

In the T20 event, he got three fifties with his top score being in the 90s. Following his debut back in 2015, Babar hasn’t looked back and has climbed the ladder, scoring 17 tons and 48 fifties to show for his efforts.