Aaqib Javed: “People say that since someone (Babar) was dropped from the T20 side, I must have a personal issue with him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan’s Director of High-Performance Aaqib Javed has dismissed claims that he has a “personal issue” with batsman Babar Azam.
The clarification comes after Babar was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad. Aaqib explained that if he truly had a problem with the 31-year-old, he would have axed him in all three formats
He further emphasised that selection decisions are not made unilaterally, noting that he alone does not have the authority to drop players from the national side.
“As for Babar, why would it matter to us whether we target one player or another? People say that since someone (Babar) was dropped from the T20 side, I must have a personal issue with him – but if that’s the case, then am I being personal with Babar only in one format?” Aaqib told Cricwick as quoted by A Sports.
“For instance, I may not have any issue with him in Tests, only in T20s. And by the way, who am I, as an individual, to select or drop anyone? These are collective decisions – made by the entire selection committee. I’m not at the level where I can favour or go against any player on a personal basis.”
Azam’s most recent T20I appearance for Pakistan came during the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, where he made 127 runs in five games, which included a top score of 74, at an average of 31.75 and a strike-rate of 112.38.
After the tri-series, Pakistan travelled to Sri Lanka to play three T20Is in Dambulla, but Azam did not feature in the series.
Instead, the Lahore native represented the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL), where he amassed 202 runs in 11 matches, which included two fifties, at an average of 22.44 and a strike-rate of 103.06.
Pakistan’s next assignment will see them host Australia for three T20Is in Lahore from January 29 to February 1.
Pakistan Squad for T20I series against Australia: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq