PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam downplays Test captaincy scrutiny with subtle response

Under the leadership of Babar Azam, the Pakistan team failed to win a single Test in 2022. The team lost the Test series against Australia and were white-washed by England during their tour in December. The New Year didn’t change their fate as against the team once again failed to win any of the two Test matches against New Zealand, which brought Babar's captaincy under scrutiny. 

After the conclusion of the second Test against the Kiwis, a local journalist pointed out to Babar that he has been pretty ordinary as a captain in the longest format and there are talks of him getting sacked. He also mentioned that the team is getting weaker as the 28-year-old is more concerned about friendships.

“Some people are saying that your grip over the team is getting weaker and your friendships are getting over in the Pakistan Cricket team

"Since Shahid Afridi came, he has changed the vice-captaincy in ODIs, with Shan Masood coming in to fill in the role. Now it's being said that even Test captaincy will be snatched away from you soon?” the journalist said in a post-match press conference. 

Babar, clearly, didn’t enjoy the comment and downplayed the reaction from the journalist. The prolific Pakistan batter said that he is not aware of all these things and he doesn’t care as well. He reminded that his job is to perform for the team and not to focus on all these things.

“Sir, you will only be knowing to whom is the captaincy going. I don't care about this. My work is to perform in the field and make my team also perform,” Babar said.

🗣️ "Aap ko pata hoga kaptaani kis ke paas jaa rahi hai. Mujhe nahi iss cheez ka ilm."

Babar Azam responds to a question about his captaincy.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/dFGVBpex41

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) January 6, 2023

Meanwhile, before the start of the series, interim chief selector Shahid Afridi backed Babar to lead the team in all three formats of the game. He stated that replacing Babar is not the solution and mentioned that the cricketer is the backbone of the Pakistan team.