Former Pakistan Captain Wants Babar Azam Kept Away from English Media

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to limit Babar Azam’s media appearances during the national team’s upcoming three-match Test series against England.

Speaking on a talk show, Rashid said touring England can be challenging because visiting teams often come under intense media scrutiny.

“An England tour is a difficult assignment, and the English media often tries to unnecessarily involve visiting teams in news stories,” he said.

Rashid Latif believes Babar Azam, who will lead Pakistan in the series, could face particular attention and suggested that the team management use other experienced players for media duties.

“Babar Azam is an experienced player, so it would be better for the PCB management to keep him away from the English media and send former captain Shan Masood to speak to them more often,” Rashid said.

He added that Shan’s previous experience of playing in England makes him better suited to handling media interactions.

“Shan has played in England and has better experience of dealing with the English media,” he said.

Rashid Latif also named Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas as other players who could represent the team during media engagements.

The former wicketkeeper-batter toured England with Pakistan in 1992, 1996 and 2001.

Pakistan has already arrived in England ahead of the three-Test series, which will be their first Test assignment in the country since 2020 and will form part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.

The opening Test will be played at Headingley in Leeds from August 19 to 23, followed by the second Test at Lord’s from August 27 to 31. The third and final Test is scheduled at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9 to 13.

Pakistan enter the series after drawing their two-match Test series against the West Indies 1-1. The series included Pakistan’s first away Test victory since July 2023, giving the team a confidence boost ahead of the England tour.

As part of their preparations, Pakistan will also play a four-day warm-up match against a Select XI from August 12 to 15.

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