Below his best in the current Pakistan Super League, head coach Saqlain Mushtaq has offered a vote of confidence in star player Babar Azam
Out-of-sorts Babar backed to rediscover best for Aussie visit
Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq has backed the leadership qualities of all-format captain Babar Azam ahead of next month's historic home series against Australia.
Babar has captained Karachi Kings to eight consecutive Twenty20 loses in the Pakistan Super League, hitting two half-centuries at 120.18 and an average of 38.29 as the 2020 champions slumped out of contention for the playoffs.
"Babar Azam is world No.1 player, and he has performed outstandingly for Pakistan," Mushtaq told reporters on Thursday.
"T20 cricket is all about momentum. All the six teams (in PSL) are very strong, but the team which gets the momentum takes the edge. Unfortunately, Karachi couldn't get the momentum."
Babar is fifth in PSL scoring with 268 runs in eight games but his numbers are far below his career mark of averaging more than 45 in both domestic and international T20 cricket.
"I have no doubt about Babar," Mushtaq said.
"He's a world-class player, strong leader, equally good against spin and fast bowlers. He has played lots of knocks for Pakistan and every (cricket) expert in the world talks about him."
Babar was seen in an animated exchange with Karachi mentor Wasim Akram that made headlines in the country for the apparent dressing down the legend was giving the current skipper, prompting Akram to issue a clarification on twitter.
Hello ! Surprised to see reactions on my talking to Babar at the boundary last night. What I was saying was ‘why our bowlers are not bowling yorkers or slower ones offside off’.nothing else . Babar is a wonderful boy and has tried his best. And what he wants for dinner 🥘 1/2
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) February 17, 2022
Australia make their first trip to Pakistan in 24 years to play three Test matches, three ODIs and a one-off T20 and are due to arrive on February 27.
The tour starts in Rawalpindi on March 4 with the first Test, followed by Tests in Karachi and Lahore. The ODIs and a T20 will be played at Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Test players have started a training camp in Karachi under the supervision of Mushtaq and batting coach Mohammad Yousuf before they shift to Rawalpindi later this month.
Australia are currently the top-ranked Test team on the ICC's ratings following their 4-0 Ashes drubbing of England and are currently second in the ICC World Test Championship points table behind Sri Lanka, with Pakistan third.
Mushtaq was hopeful the home conditions would suit his players against Australia.
"They play tough cricket," Mushtaq said.
"Wherever they go, they go with full preparation and obviously we have to play tough cricket against them.
"They had a really good series against England, but they are coming to our territory and we will give our best."
Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. On standby: Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, NIc Maddinson, Matthew Renshaw
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: Only T20I, Rawalpindi
All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports