LAHORE: Pakistan all-format skipper and currently top-ranked T20I and ODI batter Babar Azam has expressed his urge to lead the rankings across every format by improving his standings in Test cricket as well. 

Speaking at a scheduled press conference held here at Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the national team’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, the skipper stated that he was trying to accentuate his rankings in the red-ball format through his performance.

The skipper also revealed his plans for participation in Australia’s Big Bash League and made it clear that he would only think about franchise cricket after fulfilling his national duty.

“Currently, we have enough cricket of our own. I will think about Big Bash or other events only if I get the spare time” he said.

Talking about the team’s preparation for the upcoming overseas task, Babar revealed that the team combination and playing strategy would be devised only after observing the conditions in Sri Lanka while he hailed all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for playing a vital role in the team combination.

“Faheem is our key all-rounder and we get a perfect team combination due to his presence” he maintained.

“We will observe the conditions once we reach Sri Lanka and then construct the best possible team combination,” he said. “The weather of any place is not in our hands. We try our best to play according to the conditions.”

Opining on Yasir Shah’s return to the Test squad, Babar credited the leg-spinner for strengthening the team’s spin bowling attack while he claimed that Sajid Shah had been given time to work on his bowling action.

“Our spin bowling attack is strong and Yasir Shah’s return has further strengthened the attack,” he said. “We have complete confidence in our fast bowling as well.”

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka to play a two-match Test series, scheduled from July 16 to July 28.

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