The previous few days have seen changes in the Pakistani cricket team as a result of their 0-3 Test series loss to England at home. Ramiz Raja was removed from his position as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and Najam Sethi was appointed to fill the position temporarily. Shahid Afridi, a former captain, was appointed as the men’s senior team’s interim chief selector on Saturday. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain and top batter, offered his thoughts on the two significant management changes as the country prepared to play New Zealand in a two-match Test series. On the eve of the Boxing Day Test, which will be contested at Karachi’s National Stadium, Babar acknowledged that the players’ main priority continues to be enhancing their performances, regardless of what occurs off the field.
“In the last 3-4 days a lot of things has changed. I feel, as a professional, you do come across such situations. But our job is to give our efforts on the field and perform for the team to the best of our abilities. These things are happening off the field and our focus on the Test series, on how to have a good start and perform well in all the matches. In the last series we could not perform well as they committed small errors, but we will be looking to rectify those mistakes,” Babar said during a press conference in Karachi.
Shahid Afridi on Saturday added three bowlers to the team for the New Zealand series after being named the interim chief selector by the Pakistan Cricket Board. According to the PCB, Afridi added pacers Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani as well as off-spinner Sajid Khan to the team after discussing with captain Babar Azam. Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and Rao Ifthikar Anjum are also members of the Afridi-led interim selection committee, and Haroon Rasheed serves as its chairperson. The appointment will only be in place for the next home series against New Zealand, which will begin on December 26 with the first Test in Karachi.