Lahore: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has said that his batting approach is always guided by the team’s requirements, emphasizing that he is prepared to speed up his scoring whenever the match situation demands it.

Speaking during a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) program, Babar said that leading the national team is always a matter of great pride and responsibility.

“Captaining Pakistan is a tremendous honour for me,” he said. “I have learned a great deal from my previous experiences, and this time I will lead the team with better planning, greater clarity, and a more positive mindset.”

Addressing criticism about his strike rate, Babar explained that his primary focus while batting is to play according to the team’s needs rather than personal milestones.

“My thinking during batting is always based on what the team requires,” he said. “If the situation demands quick scoring, I play aggressively and increase the pace.”

The star batter added that captaincy naturally becomes easier with experience, as leaders gain maturity and confidence over time.

“With time, a captain develops greater maturity and clarity in decision-making,” he noted. “I have reviewed my past decisions, learned from them, and tried to improve in every aspect of leadership.”

Babar also highlighted the importance of supporting emerging players, saying that young cricketers often face immense pressure when they enter international cricket.

“My effort is always to stand by young players during difficult times,” he said. “International cricket is a game of pressure, and experienced players have a responsibility to help newcomers adapt to that environment.”

Pakistan’s newly appointed Test captain expressed confidence that the team is moving in the right direction and hoped that better planning, stronger teamwork, and a positive atmosphere would lead to improved performances in upcoming international assignments.