Selection not in my hands, I simply give my inputs, says Babar Azam

Babar Azam has clarified that squad selection decisions do not fall within his remit, emphasising that his responsibility is to extract maximum performance from the players provided to him. The first Test against Sri Lanka begins on November 9 in Rawalpindi, following a squad reshuffle that took place within 48 hours of the match start date.

Babar addressed his role within the team structure during the build-up to the series. He explained that while he contributes his perspective on team matters, the final decisions on player inclusion and exclusion rest with the selectors and coaching staff.

"The 15 players I was given, my job is to get the best out of. The selection or deselection of players is not in my hands. The selectors and coaches have given us a team, and my job is to help them fight and produce match-winning performances. I can't tell you in public what exactly my role is, and what aspects my role does not extend to. I'll always talk freely about my role within the setup. I give my input, and then the selectors and coaches do their job," Babar said as quoted by Cricinfo.

Pakistan made significant changes to their Test squad ahead of the Sri Lanka series, removing Abdullah Fazal and Ali Usman within 48 hours of the opening match. The reshuffle came as part of a broader restructuring of the team, with the Pakistan Cricket Board introducing new faces to the squad. Three of the additions were making their Test debuts.

This squad overhaul follows an earlier period of upheaval during Pakistan's tour of England in 2026, when seven players were sent home and replaced with seven others. That tour also saw the removal of the head coach and bowling coach during preparations for the third Test. Pakistan currently sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship table with no realistic path to the final next year, prompting the team to focus on building for the next WTC cycle, which concludes with the final in 2029.

Babar stressed that the team is prioritising development and learning rather than dwelling on past setbacks. He explained the strategic direction Pakistan is taking with the squad overhaul and the emphasis on injecting young talent into the side.

"We are pretty much out of the WTC this year, so we're looking forward to the next one. We've got more than half a dozen new players. Young talent that is performing domestically. We're looking to the future and tried to inject different kinds of players. We won't talk about what has happened in the past again, just learn from it and tell the newcomers how we want to play now," Babar said.

Babar himself has faced scrutiny over his recent form. He scored 60 runs across four first-class matches in September and managed two starts for the Lahore Whites in the week leading up to the Sri Lanka series, though he failed to convert either opportunity into a substantial score. In a recent ODI tri-series, he accumulated 118 runs across five innings and was dismissed for a five-ball duck in the final.

How is Babar addressing his recent form?

When asked about his personal performance and the steps he is taking to regain form, Babar expressed confidence in his approach and commitment to continuous improvement. He acknowledged the challenge of maintaining consistency at the highest level while emphasising his determination to work through the difficult period.

"I'm talking to coaches about what I can improve. We're talking about it and working on it. I think positively. As a senior player, you want to do your best. People have different opinions, but if I take a break, how will I improve? I try and improve all the time. If you don't perform, you learn where you're making mistakes. You can't be perfect, you can just try and keep improving. I think the more I play, the better I'll be. Every day, you're not making the same mistake. You might make different mistakes. I prepare myself in training and on the field. I work hard, and I have to believe the result will come," Babar said.

Babar was reappointed as Pakistan captain in July 2026. His last Test century came against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022, a span of 40 Test innings without a three-figure score. The second Test of the series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin in Lahore on November 17.