‘Sometimes people need a break’ – Shan Masood defends under fire Babar Azam’s form ahead of Australia tour

Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is set to return to the field for the ODI and T20I tour of Australia. Mohammad Rizwan’s side will play three matches across each formats before embarking on a tour of Zimbabwe. The 30-year-old was dropped for the final two Tests against England as Pakistan went onto win the series 2-1. 

Test skipper Shan Masood came out in defense of his star batter during a chat BBC Radio. The 35-year-old said “I think he's one of the best batsmen in the world. I'm nobody to say he doesn't have a future; He has every quality to be one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket. He's always there or thereabouts in the rankings. Sometimes, people need a break."  

In the last two years Babar Azam’s Test form has taken a huge nose dive. The former skipper has barely managed to score a fifty which raised questions about his spot in the team. The new selection committee decided to drop Babar Azam along with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah post the loss in Multan. 

Can Babar Azam turn it around in Australia?

Australia will host Pakistan in the first game of the short tour in the ODI format. Melbourne will play host to the first game which be held on Monday 4th November. Fans will be hoping to see Babar Azam back in action after nearly a month away from the game. 

Test skipper Shan Masood also said "I think this break will do him a great deal of benefit and he'll come back a stronger player. There's no harm in being pulled out at times and having a breather. He's played a lot of cricket and gone through a lot, and he'll always be one of the main batsmen to play for Pakistan”

Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja had asked Babar Azam to play fearless cricket and show his worth. Raja had said on his YouTube Channel “I feel Babar has to achieve a lot more in Test cricket. He plays the white-ball format well and has an average of 50-plus in both formats. There is so much potential in Babar Azam. Now he has to prove to the world with his temperament that he is Viv Richards. Bigger the contest, bigger the innings Richards used to play."