Babar Azam hard worker, but needs 'big innings': Mohammad Hafeez

SYDNEY: Pakistan Cricket team's Director Mohammad Hafeez Saturday said former captain Babar Azam is a hard worker and trains hard in practice sessions, but needs a "big" innings to restore his confidence.

The veteran cricketer's statement during a post-match presser in Australia after the Green Shirts lost their third and final match in the Test series against the Aussies, keeping the score 3-0.

"A big innings will restore his confidence. Red ball cricket brings sophistication to the game. A red-ball cricketer can play all formats," Hafeez said, adding that red-ball cricket polishes the skills of cricketers.

The team director appreciated the former skipper for playing well in matches but also hinted at letting Babar rest. He said it is important to consider what the former skipper himself wishes. He 

Hafeez maintained that the management is there for Babar if requires any help. "Not necessarily to rest, [he] can talk about improving any technique."

Speaking about Shaheen Shah Afridi, the veteran cricketer said the pacer himself sought rest ahead of the third Test.

"[We] rested Shaheen Afridi due to workload. We didn't want him to suffer any injuries due to the workload. Shaheen's return after injury put a lot of load on him," he said, adding that the management doesn't want to ruin anyone's career due to workload.

"The impression that Shaheen was rested because of the T20 series is wrong," he added.

Meanwhile, the veteran batter acknowledged pacer Naseem Shah's talent but said he was replaced by Aamer Jamal, as he is suffering from injury.

"It is not like the team can't function without him or his injury is causing immense damage to the team," he added.

The fast bowler has been reeling from an injury he endured during an Asia Cup game last year in September. According to an update shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Shah started the final stage of his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore in December 2023.

Hafeez, when commenting on the performance of the team in the Test series, said Pakistan played good cricket during the tour of Australia.

"There were moments that the team could not capitalise on immediately. The Melbourne Test was defeated due to dropped catches," said Hafeez.

He added that the mistakes made on the tour also need to be corrected.

Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and last Test match, drawing a curtain to the Green Shirts' hopes to conclude a run of 16 successive losses in the host nation since 1995.

Pakistan could add only 47 runs to their overnight tally at the cost of the last three wickets, to be dismissed for 115 an hour before lunch.

Commenting on the matter of match fee, Hafeez said he would share a proposal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding Test cricket remuneration.

The proposal, he said, will seek to introduce standard Test fees for all cricket boards, so that all Test players get equal fees.