Babar Azam is the backbone of the Pakan team: Shahid Afridi

Pakan Cricket Board’s interim chief selector Shahid Afridi on Saturday said that he will back captain Babar Azam and will try to improve the “bench strength” during his tenure.
“Babar Azam hamari team ka backbone hai (Babar Azam is the backbone of our team). He is one of our top performers. I liked it when he challenged the New Zealand team for the chase. And as a selection committee, we want to be a shoulder for him and support him,” Afridi told reporters.
“Also, I liked what he said in the post-match presser after the draw. He said the team is focusing on cricket and is unaware of what is being said outside. So, Babar should focus on the game only. The selection committee will always support him to come up with better combinations so that he feels confident on the field,” he added.

Afridi also said that his aim is to improve bench strength.
“I want to create two teams for Pakan before my tenure ends in order to improve bench strength,” he said.
Afridi also pointed out that the “communication gap” in the Pakan cricket is a big issue. He said: “The major problem that I’ve observed here is the communication gap among management, doctors and selection committee. It is important for a chief selector – be it me or someone else – to stay in direct contact with players. When I spoke to Haris and Fakhar, I got to know the better picture and I invited them to the fitness Test.”
Afridi also lamented former management for preparing poor pitches. “It will be something where bowlers will get some support and batters will also enjoy their stay, there will be some bounce on the wicket. We can not become a top team playing on these wickets. The wickets on which we’ve been playing are injurious to our bowlers, pacers will start having fitness issues and spinners will injure their fingers.” said Shahid Afridi.

“Who says we can not produce better wickets in Pakan? We certainly can if we are allowed to do so. One thing is that our academies are not working for last 8 months, it is important that we keep them running for our domestic and under-19 performers. I will try to start a camp there for all such youngsters.” he added.
After the first match ended in a draw, the second Test of the two-match series will start from Monday at National Stadium in Karachi.