Keep Babar Azam Away from English Media During England Tour: Rashid Latif

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management to keep national team captain Babar Azam away from the English media during Pakistan’s upcoming Test tour of England.

The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in England for a three-match Test series. Under the leadership of Babar Azam, Pakistan will face England in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, from August 19.

Speaking on Geo News programme Score, Rashid Latif said the PCB management should adopt a strategy of limiting Babar Azam’s interaction with the English media during the tour.

Rashid Latif, who toured England with the Pakistan team in 1992, 1996 and 2001, said an England tour is challenging and the English media often attempts to draw visiting teams into unnecessary controversies and headlines.

He said Babar Azam would be under particular scrutiny from the English media during the tour.

According to Rashid Latif, Babar is an experienced player, but it would be better for the PCB management to keep him away from extensive media interaction and send former captain Shan Masood to speak to the English media more frequently.

He noted that Shan Masood has played in England and has greater experience dealing with the English media.

Rashid Latif added that Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas could also be suitable options for media duties during the tour.