Babar Azam responds to questions around his Pakistan Test captaincy future post whitewash to England at home

Babar Azam has taken criticism in the right spirit after Pakistan’s humiliating eight-wicket loss at the hands of England in the third and final Test match at the National Bank Arena in Karachi. With this defeat, Pakistan have been whitewashed 0-3 in the home red-ball series.

Babar who has been getting brickbats throughout this series for his captaincy tactics and the team’s collective failures has now made a clear statement after he was questioned about his future as Pakistan’s Test captain. The 28-year-old said that his first priority is to give his best for his country while rest everything is secondary.

I always try to give my best for the country: Babar Azam

“Yes it was very disappointing for us and even for me as a captain because we couldn't apply ourselves. But the way England played, we should be appreciating that. We were also a bit unfortunate because our our main fast bowlers were not fit. There were a couple of debuts, they played well, but not execute in that fashion,” Babar said in the post-match presser after the Test series loss.

“The second point which you mentioned, there is no such pressure. In fact, I enjoy that. And it does not affect my batting at all. It been an honour. I always try to give my best for the country. Pehle Pakistan, baki sab cheezein baadme (First comes Pakistan, then follows the rest).”

Pakistan who were already out of the WTC final race headed into this contest to pick up a consolation win and salvage pride. While they did impress with the bat to a certain extent posting 304 in the first innings, the bowlers failed to contain the famed English batting line-up.

Babar Azam scored half-centuries in both innings (78 and 54), but apart from him and Saud Shakeel (53), the Pakistani batting suffered a collective failure as their innings ended at 216 in the second innings to set the visitors a target of just 167 runs.

The Three Lions got the job done in style as opener Ben Duckett (82*) and skipper Ben Stokes (35*) helped them in getting over the line.