Skipper says his charges are ready for a different performance in the second Test against England
Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his team must take greater responsibility and avoid another batting collapse when they face England in the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday.
Pakistan were beaten by an innings and 103 runs in the opening Test at Headingley, but Babar said the team had reviewed its shortcomings and was focused on producing a stronger performance.
“We did not play up to the mark in the last match,” Babar told reporters on Wednesday. “But we sat down and discussed. We discussed our weak points.”
Babar, who missed the first Test, said Pakistan would approach the match session by session and insisted the team could respond strongly after a heavy defeat.
“Whenever something like this happens, as a team, we always step up,” he said. “We play different cricket. We don’t play like we did last time. But this time, you will see something different.”
The Pakistan captain said the grass covering the Lord’s pitch could influence the final team selection, with the tourists considering whether to field three fast bowlers and one specialist spinner.
“We will see the final look of the pitch today,” Babar said. “When we go, we will decide which 11 will be suitable here.”
He also stressed the importance of partnerships, particularly in England, where conditions can make life difficult for new batters.
“If a set batsman is playing, it is a little easy for him,” he said. “But when a new batsman comes, it is a little difficult for him to build a partnership.”
Pakistan have also endured a series of collapses, and Babar acknowledged that the team needed to handle the transition between set and new batters better.
“Mostly, the set batsman gets out. We will lag there. It is difficult for a new batsman,” he said. “We will try to focus more on that situation.”
Babar defended the decision to keep Abdullah Shafique in his current batting position rather than move him back to the opening slot.
“He should play on his number,” Babar said, adding that Shafique had also batted in that position in domestic cricket and was confident there.
The captain said senior players, including Mohammad Rizwan, had a responsibility to deliver, but rejected the idea that the wicketkeeper-batter was under additional pressure.
“It is not a burden. It is a responsibility as a senior player,” Babar said. “It is not just Rizwan’s responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility.”
Babar also confirmed he was close to full fitness after missing the first Test, saying he had completed practice sessions and was “90%” fit for Thursday’s match.
The three-Test series offers Pakistan a chance to recover from their disappointing start, while England can take an unassailable 2-0 lead with victory at Lord’s.
Babar said playing at the historic ground remained a special occasion and urged his players to embrace the challenge.
“It’s an honour to play here at Lord’s,” he said. “We are looking forward.”
