Pakistan team will do well when Babar Azam has full authority: Moin Khan

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Moin Khan believes that the Men in Green will do well when skipper Babar Azam has complete authority.

While speaking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview, Moin questioned team management’s role in selecting the final playing XI.

“It’s good that Babar has been given the authority to finalise the playing XI, something which has been reported in local media, because he is the top performer in the side and he will have the confidence to tackle the players. I don’t know if he was intentionally dominated, in selection matters, previously but it is good to know that this trend has changed,” said Moin. “I’m sure when Babar has full authority, the team will do well.”

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He also praised the selection committee for giving preference to players doing well in domestic cricket for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. He added that the series against the Porteas will be a tough one for the home side.

“Domestic performers have been included in the Pakistan squad which will enhance performance of the side as decisions are made on merit,” he said. “Pakistan will have to put in the hard yards as South Africa team is in good form as compared to them but Pakistan will have the advantage of home conditions.”

Moin also expects leg-spinner Yasir Shah to do well in the home series while also criticising the decision to play Zafar Gohar in the second New Zealand Test.

“If conditions favour spinners in Karachi, Yasir Shah will be effective and a leg-spinner in rhythm can be unplayable at times,” he said. “I also feel that the decision to play Zafar Gohar in the presence of Yasir, against New Zealand, was the wrong decision as the former isn’t suited for Test cricket. Zafar’s performance is domestic cricket can’t be termed very impressive as well.”