Pakistan’s Test captain Babar Azam has admitted that his side’s prospects in the current ICC World Test Championship (WTC) are effectively over, turning his attention towards building a competitive squad for the next cycle. Speaking to reporters ahead of Pakistan’s two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka, the skipper outlined a strategic shift aimed at long-term development.
Pakistan currently sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings following a dismal run of form. Having lost seven out of their nine matches in the current cycle, the team has accumulated a percentage of points of just 4.63. This sharp decline left the team with virtually no mathematical chance of reaching the final, prompting the team management to recalibrate their goals.
Reflecting on the team’s trajectory, Babar explained that a decisive change in direction took place following their tour of England. The emphasis has since transitioned from short-term survival to constructing a resilient side capable of competing consistently on the international stage.
The captain stressed that the core of this strategy rests on striking the right balance between emerging young talent and seasoned international campaigners. While senior players remain vital to the squad’s foundation, giving younger players room to adapt to the demands of five-day cricket is central to the project.
Babar expressed confidence that this blended structure will raise the team’s overall standards over time. For now, however, immediate focus remains on the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, where the squad hopes to demonstrate early signs of progress and signal a fresh chapter for Pakistan in Test cricket.
