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Babar Azam rules out fielding four seamers in second Test

February 3, 2021 05:16 PM


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Pakistani skipper Babar Azam Wednesday ruled out fielding the four seamers in the second Test against South Africa that begins Thursday at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Talking to media during a virtual press conference, Babar said he feels the four seamers cannot be played in the second Test. but the final call on the Playing XI would depend on the conditions on the day.

"We will plan by keeping in mind the five-day game and the combination best for the team will be played," he said.

He also hinted at going on with the winning combination of the first Test in the second game against South Africa. Pakistan selectors have also retained the same 17-members for the second Test as well.

"We are also seeing the same thing, but the final verdict on the Playing XI will be finalized after seeing the pitch, weather and conditions. You never know what the conditions will be on the day as it was also cloudy today," he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zMz88poQ3Y

Babar said the team prepared very well during the practice sessions and the players were high in morale after winning the first Test against South Africa. "The way we played the first match we will try to perform the same in the second. We will not take the South African team easy as we know they can bounce back."

He said he was enjoying the Test captaincy saying the players and team were management supporting him.

"The captaincy becomes easy when the players and team support you. We will stick to the same plan and focus and hopefully will win the second test," he said.

Babar said he would be missing the Rawalpindi crowd which gave him so much love and honour when he scored a 143 in Test against Bangladesh last year.

"When I was going to the wicket from the dressing room, the crowd cheered and backed me. You get a lot of confidence from it as it helps you performing better. Keep supporting and backing us. Unfortunately we cannot see you but you can," he said.

He also lauded youngsters Abdullah Shafiq and Saud Shakeel saying they have been performing well. "We are also trying to give them confidence which is needed in the international cricket," he said.

Babar also praised Fawad Alam and Azhar Ali for building up superb innings and partnership in the first Test against South Africa. "They have the knowledge of how to play in difficult situations. The youngsters should learn from them," he said.

Pakistan captain also credited himself for his performance and consistency in the game.

"I want to credit my hard work and the sacrifices I made. I talked to players which helped me how to perform in difficult conditions. You get experience and confidence when you play consistently and perform. I did not relax after performing, I used to sit and see how can I do better and what is lacking in my performance. Goals and mindset is very important," he said.



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