Pakistan captain Babar Azam is focusing on turning around his team’s fortunes in the upcoming twoTest series against New Zealand rather than getting distracted by the sudden shakeup in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set-up.
Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi returned to lead the new 14-member management committee of the Board after the government removed Ramiz Raja and also repealed the body’s constitution in the aftermath of Pakistan’s 0-3 loss to England in a Test series last week.
Shahid Afridi was named interim chief selector and the flamboyant former Pakistan captain immediately beefed up the 16-member squad for the Test series against New Zealand by adding three more bowlers.
“Things have changed in the past two, three days and there have been changes, but as a professional you have to face such things,” Babar said on Sunday, the eve of the first Test. “Our full focus is on how to win the match, how to make a good start in the series.
“We could not play the last series the way we wanted to and committed small mistakes that left us behind,” Babar said.
“To be honest, I don’t take pressure … If you take pressure your game goes down. I have belief that it’s a new day, new team and a new match, so things will be different.”
Another slow grassless wicket has been prepared for the first Test with spinners from both sides expected to call the shots as the game progresses.
Chief selector Afridi has added off-spinner Sajid Khan and pacers Shahnawaz Dahani and Mir Hamza to the Pakistan squad.
The Black Caps will be led by Tim Southee after Kane Williamson stepped down from his post.
⚫ Match starts: 10.30am IST