Babar Azam claims he has "no knowledge" of any captaincy threats.

 

 Photo courtesy: crickettimes.com

Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain, denied any awareness of a prospective change in the team's leadership on Thursday, amid reports that the new head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja, was keeping an eye on the situation and may use his metaphorical ax if his expectations were not reached.

Raja had shied away from supporting Azam as the all-format skipper in his first news conference after taking over the board, stating it was "too early" to make a judgment but added, "My expectations for Babar are the same as I had with Imran Khan."

Addressing a news conference today, Azam was asked whether the new PCB chairman has hinted of any changes, to which he replied: “I have no clue about it so far.”

In response to allegations that he had a falling out with team management over squad selection for the World T20 next month, Azam stated that the chairman and chief selector have corrected the stories, before adding: This is not anyone’s team, this is Pakistan’s team. I am backing it and others should also do so.”

When asked about the ODI series against New Zealand, which begins on Friday, Azam refused to dismiss the Black Caps, despite the fact that they are without a number of regulars.

He stated, "You can't take any team lightly." "Of sure, we would have liked it more if they (New Zealand) had their big players."

According to Azam, the conditions in the next series would be comparable to those expected in the Middle East during the World Cup.

He stated that the team's middle order was being improved. He went on to say, "We'll attempt to go with our best mix."

“Our World T20 matches are in the UAE, and we are forming a team keeping in view that aspect as well. The more we utilize our spinners, it will be good for us,” the skipper said.