Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hailed his teammates for understanding their specific roles to perfection in the just-concluded series against Bangladesh. Pakistan arrived in Bangladesh following their heart break in the 2021 T20 WC semifinal but turned things around quickly to sweep both the T20I and the Test series.
In the three-match T20I series, the tourists managed to hold their nerve despite being pushed to the wall, while in the two-match Test series Pakistan clearly dictated terms including the second match that was marred by rain for more than two days.
“I think everyone is clear about their roles and were given the confidence to express them freely in the middle,” Babar said after the game. “I am really happy the way we performed in the World Cup followed by our performance in T20s and the Tests and feel that this performance will help us move forward. As a captain, I am really proud to have such a good team.
“We have won both the series. The way we won the Test today was really superb. I think Sajid’s special bowling changed the complexion of the match. And today, the way our fast bowlers took wickets in the morning session was really brilliant. When you fight for a win, the results will come. I gave everyone the message to play their natural cricket. But they played with a positive mindset.”
Babar’s off-spin bowling was the highlight of the last day’s play and it eventually turned out to be a wise decision as well considering he managed to break the important partnership of Shakib al Hasan and Mehedy Hasan, who were busy resurrecting their innings.
“I have bowled for the first time ever in international cricket but I bowled in first-class cricket and in Under-19 cricket on a regular basis. I also bowl regularly to our batsmen in the practice session. I felt I needed to bowl here and that’s why I bowled. I just bowled 3 or 4 overs and I got an important wicket.”
Credit: CricBuzz.
