Pakistan selection committee member Aaqib Javed has defended the decision to reappoint Babar Azam as the national Test captain, saying the move is intended to bring stability and continuity as Pakistan prepare for crucial series against the West Indies and England.
Speaking to Samaa TV, Javed described Babar as one of Pakistan’s most important players and said the management wants consistent leadership during the team’s next phase.
“We are looking for technical stability, and Babar Azam remains the right choice,” Javed said, adding that the star batter is expected to lead the Test side for the next two to three years. He also made it clear that there are currently no discussions about replacing Babar as captain.
Reflecting on the previous leadership, Javed said Shan Masood was given enough time to prove himself. However, he acknowledged that disappointing results, particularly during the Bangladesh tour, prompted the selectors to reassess the team’s direction.
He stressed that team selection is a shared responsibility between the captain and the management, and insisted that frequent changes in leadership do not benefit the side.
With challenging home and away assignments against the West Indies and England approaching, Javed said the selectors believe Babar’s experience will help provide much-needed consistency.
The former fast bowler also spoke about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s central contracts, saying the system is designed to ensure players remain focused on international cricket instead of being distracted by franchise leagues.
Commenting on Pakistan’s recent 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh, Javed described the result as “technically unacceptable” and said it requires a thorough review.
He also underlined the importance of involving former cricketers in the development of young talent. Referring to Mushtaq Ahmed, Javed said the former spin coach made valuable contributions during his time with the PCB, but his consultancy contract was not renewed because he was unable to commit consistently due to other coaching responsibilities.
Javed praised Shan Masood’s recent batting performances, saying the left-hander has shown significant improvement over the last six to seven Test matches.
Looking ahead, he revealed that promising youngsters Ubaid Shah, Abdullah Fazal and Azaan Awais are part of Pakistan’s long-term plans.
The selector also said the team is aiming to include at least three fast bowlers capable of bowling above 140 km/h to strengthen the pace attack.
Concluding his remarks, Javed said the growing influence of franchise cricket has created confusion for some players, which he believes has affected the team’s overall performances.
