Pakistan captain Babar Azam intends to carry the positive atmosphere from a recent ODI tri-series victory into the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday. To move on from a disappointing run in the current World Test Championship cycle, Pakistan has opted for a youthful squad featuring almost eight new faces.
Babar told a pre-match news conference on Sunday that the team has adopted a different approach since the tour of England by combining senior experience with the energy of younger talent. He stated, "We have taken a different step and brought in different players. We are trying to find the right combination of senior and junior players so that we can give youngsters the opportunity to express themselves and perform." The skipper noted that the team is nearly finished with the current cycle and is preparing for the next one, adding, "InshaAllah, you will see a different team."
The captain believes the confidence from winning the ODI tri-series will provide a boost for the longer format. He said, "Whenever you win a series or a match, you definitely gain confidence. As a team and as individual players, you benefit from it. We will bring that same vibe into the Test match and will try to continue it." He further noted that a young team brings a different energy.
The newcomers were selected based on their first-class cricket performances. Babar explained that while the selectors and coach provided the team, his responsibility is to ensure they perform and make good decisions. He plans to guide them by sharing his experience and offering advice during high-pressure situations. "As a senior player, I try to guide them and share my experience. In difficult situations, when there is pressure, you can call them over and give them good advice. That is our job. We have to give them confidence," he said.
Regarding past setbacks, Babar stated the team will not talk about the past but will focus on what can be learned for the future. He described the team's approach as positive. When questioned about his own form and criticism from former cricketers, Babar said his thinking is always positive and that he focuses on improving through practice and understanding his mistakes. "If you sit down and do not practise, how will you improve? I try to improve as much as I can. You learn from your mistakes and understand where you are going wrong. No player is perfect," he said.
