“Things have changed in the last couple of days and there have been changes, but as a professional you have to face those things,” Babar said on the eve of the first test on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is not distracted by sudden disruptions in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set-up, but is focused on turning his team’s fortunes around in the next two test series against New Zealand. increase.
Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the board’s new 14-man list came after the government ousted Ramiz Raja and overturned the organization’s constitution after Pakistan lost 3-0 to England in last week’s Test series. He returned to chair the Board of Trustees, which consisted of members.
Shahid Afridi was appointed interim chief his selectors, and the flamboyant former Pakistan captain soon strengthened his 16-man squad for his series test against New Zealand by adding three bowlers to his side.
“Things have changed in the past two, three days and there have been changes, but as a professional you have to face such things,” Babar said on Sunday on the eve of the first Test.
“Our job is to put effort on the ground and our full focus is on how to win the match, how to take a good start in the series and how to do well in all the three departments of the game.”
England’s aggressive style of play, dubbed “Bazball” after coach Brendon McCullum, resulted in Pakistan getting whitewashed at home for the first time in a series featuring three or more games.
Pakistan nearly pulled off a draw in the first Test at Rawalpindi before succumbing to England’s relentless pressure under dimming light on the last day to lose by 74 runs. Babar’s men came close to levelling the series at Multan inside four days before falling to Mark Wood’s pace as England recorded a thrilling 26-run win.
“We could not play the last series the way we wanted and committed small mistakes that left us behind,” Babar said. “Honestly, I don’t push. If I push, the game is down. I firmly believe it’s a new day, a new team, a new game, and things are going to change.”
Another slow grassless wicket was set up for the first test, with spinners on both sides expected to call shots as play progressed.
Afridi added off-spinner Sajid his Khan, who has returned to the squad after missing his final two series against Sri Lanka and England. Spinner Abrar Ahmed has made a name for himself by taking his 17 wickets in his two Tests against England. This includes his 234-for-11 in his Test debut on Multan’s slowly spinning wicket.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali has also been recalled, while fast bowlers Shanawaz Dahani and Mir Hamza, who appeared in their only friendly against Australia four years ago, were also drafted into the expanded 19-man squad.
Like Pakistan, New Zealand lost 3-0 to England after McCallum and captain Ben Stokes managed last summer and quickly routed Kane Williamson’s side. Williamson passed the baton to Tim Southey, who will head Black his Caps in the Test for the first time. Williamson will be in charge of ODI next month.
New Zealand recalled leg spinner Ish Sodhi after his absence in four years and used Ajaz Patel’s left arm to put pressure on the relatively inexperienced Pakistani batting team.
His 3–0 clean sheet for England gave Southey hopes of success in unfamiliar conditions. “The subcontinent is very foreign to us,” Southey said. “England played an incredible style of cricket…and the way they played was very impressive.Look for opportunities to work as a team and hopefully put in a performance that works for the team. I hope we can, we look forward to the challenge, the new series. After a tough winning streak, Pakistan will try to recover.”
New Zealand also scored 59 Tests in his match he took 246 wickets, batting better than Trent Vault who chose not to travel to Pakistan, veteran Fast his bowler Neil He Wagner, 36 depends on.
“When you come to that part of the world, you tend to think that weirdos are going to have a bigger impact,” Southey said. “But England has shown that pace bowlers have a place too.”
Weather concerns at Multan forced PCB to stage his first tour of New Zealand to Pakistan since 2003 in Karachi, now with Test matches and his three ODIs all his It would be held.