'Just like journalists start things and back one another' - Babar Azam shuts up reporter over query on teammates' supportive tweets

Pakistan captain Babar Azam gave a befitting reply to a reporter when asked about the tweets from Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi on backing his captaincy prior to the start of the New Zealand series. The skipper has been at the receiving end of plenty of criticism following the 3-0 whitewash against England at home.

Multiple reports even suggested that Babar may step down or will be removed as the captain, however, his teammates Shaheen and Haris came out in his support. On the eve of the New Zealand series, Babar was asked about the tweets from his teammates and the Pakistan skipper gave a befitting reply to the query.

“Everyone has their own mindset, jis tarah aap log bhi journalist hai, jis tarah saare chezein start kar dete hai and ek dusre ko back karte hai (Just like you journalists tend to start things and then back one another). We players also have the same unity and that is not just for me, that is for the entire team. When the team loses, such things tend to happen. But as a player and a captain, I tend to be in my zone. We lost the last series, but we will definitely make a comeback,” Babar was quoted by Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, Babar and Co. are up against the Kiwis in a two-match Test series. The red-ball series will be followed by three ODIs as skipper Babar will aim to overcome his failures and guide the side to glory after some disappointing performances at home.

Pakistan are out of the race of World Test Championship final after the loss against the Three Lions. Furthermore, Australia and India’s chances of making it to the finals of the event have solidified following their wins against South Africa (in first Test in Brisbane) and Bangladesh (2-0 sweep) respectively.