Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has denied the matter that there is a lack of unity within the team, contrary to others’ observations. The veteran has revealed that he has always focused on keeping the dressing room atmosphere well as captain as well. With Pakistan undergoing captaincy changes a lot in the last 18 months, reports have come that Shaheen Shah Afridi and Babar Azam are not in good terms as well.

Masood said to reporters in a presser, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo: “Every captain has their own style. I focus on keeping the environment in the dressing room well; that is my primary concern. I have never seen a lack of unity or effort by the boys. There are some cricketing aspects to how we need to improve, but I have no complaints regarding unity.”

However, Pakistan are coming off a 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh at home and they will next host England. However, England inflicted a 3-
0 series sweep in their backyard in 2022 and will start as favourites too. With Babar struggling for runs for quite some time, Masood backed
the right-hander by claiming that he has been getting starts as well.

“Babar Azam is among the world’s best batters. You have to give your players time, not just Babar Azam. Babar doesn’t look out of form, he’s getting starts. There was a 10-month gap between the Australia and Bangladesh Tests, which doesn’t help us. He played some long innings in the Champions [One-Day] Cup where he absorbed pressure and changed gears. That might help him in Tests now. He’s the team’s number one batter for sure,” he concluded.