Misbah-ul-Haq comes in support of skipper Babar Azam

Former Pakistan captain and coach Misbah-ul-Haq has defended current Pakistan's all-formats skipper Babar Azam against an alleged campaign to weaken his leadership.

In an interview with a local channel, Misbah stated that efforts to undermine Azam's authority were not good for the team and that everyone involved in Pakistan cricket should work together to make decisions for the betterment of the sport. 

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"It is visible Babar is being forced to become weak, which is not good. Everyone is watching the kind of press conferences and questions being asked from Babar," he said in an interview with Geo Super.

"If there is a decision to be made, everyone should sit together and make a decision. The players, the selection committee, and the board should sit down and take a decision comfortably. They should review the situation, and If they think changes should be made, then they should do it. The whole team will be disturbed if you put pressure on someone for any other reason. It should not happen," he added.

He also criticized recent changes to the Test team, which he said had contributed to a lack of success. He argued against having separate captains for Test and white-ball cricket, saying that it could create a "political environment." 

Misbah acknowledged that Pakistan is a strong team in white-ball cricket but expressed concern that the Test team was "off-track."

"The performance in the home series against England and New Zealand is in front of everyone. The test team is very difficult to make, but the management changed it. If you make four changes, it will completely change the batting and bowling. Test team development is not easy as Pakistan gets to play fewer Test matches. We are off track in the Test. Changes cannot get results," the former batter said.

Reminder for all is that many former Pakistan players want Babar Azam to be removed from captaincy from all three-formats.