Ace Pakistan batsman and cricket captain Babar Azam said on Friday that his team is fully prepared for the tour of New Zealand and expressed the optimism that it will live up to the expectations by showcasing the best performance.

Addressing a news conference in Lahore, Babar Azam said “Our team is very excited to go on its New Zealand tour and players are in the right frame of mind to perform to the best of their ability and potential.”

He said players are in good spirit and right of the frame of mind to face a strong Kiwis challenge in a decent way. “We are playing back to back and are confident about our performance,” Babar said. “Our record in New Zealand has been good. We will play good cricket.”

Pakistan announced its tour to New Zealand in September this year. The two teams will play three T20Is and two Tests from December 18 to January 7.

The team will depart in the last week of November after which they will enter a two-week quarantine period in Lincoln following the New Zealand government’s COVID-19 protocols.

Babar Azam said the team is taking the tour as a challenge as well as a responsibility, but it is not under any kind of pressure. “We will enjoy the tour and make efforts to present a good game. I have tried to learn a lot from my experience,” he added.

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Thanking his teammates Sarfaraz Ahmed and Azhar Ali, Babar Azam said that he has not only learned from them but will also consult them whenever needed. “I am the one responsible for making decisions but I will consult them too,” Babar Azam maintained. “I try to take responsibility and play with the same responsibility.”

He said the team is a blend of experience and youth and he is expecting a lot from the young blood to underline talent and to justify their inclusion. “Everyone should be in the line of duty, senior should prove themselves by demonstrating their best form and performance and young players must learn from the showing of seniors and put up a good show to make progress and to make their presence felt in the team,” he said.

Answering a question, he said that there is no concept of grouping among the players, stressing that the team sees itself as a single unit. “ We are one team whose objective it is to play for Pakistan and strive to achieve glory for the country and we are all united as team Pakistan,” he said.

“All the players are very good and try to play well. We always face challenges and playing abroad is a difficult task, but we have been playing well when abroad. For example, we showed a good performance in England,” Babar Azam said.

The captain also praised the team’s young fast bowlers, adding that they must be supported by everyone.

Azam also expressed his gratitude to the former head coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team Mickey Arthur, saying that his guidance has given him the confidence to perform better.
“I am aiming to score a century in the upcoming New Zealand, Australia, and England tours,” he said.

Babar Azam reiterated that the Pakistan Cricket Board has given him the freedom and confidence to continue a long-term captaincy, therefore, he is not under any kind of performance pressure.

Even though Babar demonstrated confidence in his team, he did not rule out the unpredictable nature of cricket. 

“Players need confidence and hard work on every tour. However, the result is not in our hands but one thing is sure that we will go out to defy opposition and will play the game for achieving positive results,” he concluded.