PCB prevents Babar Azam from having Malik & Hafeez in T20 side

Pakistan's new Twenty20 captain Babar Azam wanted to have senior players such as Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik in the side for the Australia tour but the PCB officials shot down the suggestion. Before the team's departure, it has emerged that head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq had discussed the selection of players with Babar and both agreed on the selection of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. But apparently some top officials in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) advised them not to pick them, throwing open a debate on how much authority was enjoyed by the head coach and the captain.

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PCB prevents Babar Azam from having Malik & Hafeez in T20 side

Asked if he was consulted for team selection, Babar Azam said, "I had given my input for selection of the squad. I felt I required some seniors but it is the decision of selectors." Babar Azam recently said he wants to emulate captains like England's Joe Root and India's Virat Kohli but surprisingly the full video of his press conference on October 25 does not include those comments. The video is available on the PCB's official website.

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Babar Azam wants to emulate Virat Kohli as skipper

Babar Azam said though captaincy adds to pressure but with the support of his teammates, he was confident of handling it. "I have belief in myself and my batting. Captaincy is a new responsibility and I will try to take everyone along and form a combination. It is clear that If players support you the team does well. So I want everyone to perform. I will try to keep the environment of the dressing room healthy and positive. We must enjoy playing for Pakistan and not take the pressure," he said. Babar Azam reminded that he had captained Pakistan in the under-19 World Cup and has played in Australia before so he was aware of the conditions and pitches. "It is a big challenge playing in Australia and beating them. The idea is to play fearless cricket and give them a good fight. Play aggressive cricket as they do." 

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