PCB turned down Babar Azam's request to pick Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik for Australia T20I series

Babar Azam, who was appointed as the new T20I skipper by the board, has come out with some surprising revelations before leaving for the Australia tour. He addressed the media during his first press-conference as Pakistan‘s T20I captain, that his suggestion of picking senior players was turned down by the selectors and team management.

Pakistan Cricket Board sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed from the captaincy and appointed Babar Azam as their T20I skipper, followed by Azhar Ali who will lead the team in Tests. This decision from PCB came ahead of the Australia tour.

PCB declined the suggestions of Babar Azam and Misbah-ul-Haq

The team that is traveling to Australia misses out senior players like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. And when Babar Azam was asked about their absence from the team, he disclosed that PCB didn’t give a nod to his recommendation which was given at the time of team selections. It has emerged that skipper and head coach both came to an agreement in order to include Hafeez and Malik in the team.

Babar stated that he wanted some players but didn’t get, “I had given my input for selection of the squad. I felt I required some seniors but it is the decision of selectors,” T20I skipper said as quoted by Times Now.

Recently, Babar had expressed his desire to emulate the results for the team like England’s Joe Root and India’s Virat Kohli with his captaincy. But, now it looks his mindset has taken a turnaround before leaving for Australia. In the conference, he said that leading his national squad will add a new responsibility to his game but he is confident of handling it.

“I have belief in myself and my batting. Captaincy is a new responsibility and I will try to take everyone along and form a combination,” he said. “It is clear that if players support you the team does well. So I want everyone to perform. I will try to keep the environment of the dressing room healthy and positive. We must enjoy playing for Pakistan and not take the pressure.” he added.

Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests in Australia. The tour will kick off with the T20I series starting on 3rd of November.

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