SRINAGAR: Pakistan captain Babar Azam says his team must take greater responsibility and avoid another batting collapse when it faces England in the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday, as he prepares to return after missing the series opener with a finger injury.
Babar said he was “90%” fit after taking part in Pakistan’s practice sessions and was hopeful of playing at the home of cricket.
“Yes, 90% I’m fit for tomorrow’s match,” Babar said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Pakistan were beaten by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley last week, with the match ending inside three days after the visitors were outplayed with both bat and ball.
“We’re not playing up to the mark, the way the England team is playing,” Babar said. “But after that, we sat together and discussed our mistakes.”
He said the team had identified its weak points and was determined to produce a different performance at Lord’s.
“Whenever something like this happens, as a team, we always step up,” Babar said. “We play different cricket. We don’t play like we did last time. But this time, you will see something different.”
Babar stressed the importance of partnerships, particularly in English conditions where new batters can find it difficult to settle at the crease.
“If a set batsman is playing, it is a little easy for him. But when a new batsman comes, it is a little difficult for him to build a partnership,” he said.
Pakistan have suffered a number of batting collapses, and Babar acknowledged that the team needed to manage the transition between established and incoming 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 has an impressive Test record in England, averaging 65.75 on English soil and 53.83 in 14 innings against England. His return would therefore provide a significant boost to Pakistan’s batting line-up.
The captain also backed Abdullah Shafique to continue batting in his current position rather than return to the opening slot.
“He should play on his number,” Babar said, adding that Shafique had also played in the position in domestic cricket and was comfortable there.
Babar said senior players, including wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, needed to lead by example, but stressed that responsibility for Pakistan’s performance could not rest on one player.
“It is not a burden. It is a responsibility as a senior player,” he said. “It is not just Rizwan’s responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility.”
The Pakistan captain also indicated that the Lord’s pitch could influence the final team selection, with grass on the surface prompting consideration of a combination featuring 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.”
Pakistan need a strong response to keep the three-Test series alive, while England can take an unassailable 2-0 lead with another victory.
Babar said playing at Lord’s remained a special occasion for the players and urged his team to embrace the challenge.
“It’s an honour to play here at Lord’s,” he said. “We are looking forward.”
