Pakistan’s newly appointed director, Mohammad Hafeez, contradicted star Pakistan batter Babar Azam’s comments on captaincy not affecting his batting performances as well. However, Babar quit leadership duties from all three formats following Pakistan’s dismal show at the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup. Despite becoming the No.1 ranked ODI team at the start of the Asia Cup, Pakistan finished at the bottom of the Super Fours points table as well. Notably, Pakistan did not do much better in the World Cup as they won only four out of nine games, to finish fifth as well.

During the tournament, Babar said, “As far as captaincy is concerned, I don’t have much pressure on me or on my batting. I try to give my best in batting. During fielding, I think about captaincy and during batting I just think about the batting,” Babar Azam had said during the World Cup.”

However, Hafeez gave a contrasting comment during a press conference in Lahore today.

READ MORE: “Can be the future captain of India” – Kiran More on Ruturaj Gaikwad

“As a batsman, Babar Azam has immense contributions for Pakistan. Not being captain will release pressure from him. Captaincy definitely adds pressure onto a cricketer, and if someone denies that, they are wrong. With that pressure eased, I think Babar’s performance will get even better. He has already been making excellent contributions for Pakistan cricket, and I think he will further enhance his performance to help Pakistan achieve success,” Mohammad Hafeez said.

Almost all of them are the same guys, but for the new guys, it’s a golden opportunity, and Shan Masood also has a great chance. Wherever you go, you try to dominate; it’s not about going there and not being able to dominate, we can do it, we have the ability, and we take it forward in our own way. Whatever work we do, as a team, we are united. We will take experience from Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul, and Saeed Ajmal,” said Babar Azam.