'I can say it on his face...': Ravi Shastri wants Babar Azam to take up a new role in Pakistan team

Renowned former Indian team head coach and broadcaster, Ravi Shastri, has expressed his belief that Babar Azam, the former Pakistan skipper, should assume the role of Vice-Captain. Shastri, highlighting Babar's extensive experience and cricketing knowledge, underscored the significance of effective communication, particularly with the team's bowlers.

3 things you need to know

• Australia defeated Pakistan in the 1st Test match by 360 runs
• Pakistan were bowled out for a mere 89 runs in the final innings
• Babar Azam contributed 35 runs in both innings combined

Also Read: Nathan Lyon achieves 500-wicket landmark in Tests as he joins exclusive club of eighth players

Ravi Shastri doesn't want to see a quiet Babar Azam

Following Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) asked Babar Azam to step down from his captaincy across all three formats of the game. Subsequently, Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi were appointed as Test and T20I captains, respectively, before the Test series against Australia.

Just before the commencement of the first Test in Perth, Shaheen Shah Afridi was named the vice-captain of the Test team.

Speaking on Fox Sports, Ravi Shastri emphasized Babar Azam's experience and knowledge, advocating for his appointment as the team's vice-captain in the red-ball format. Shastri openly expressed his desire to see a more communicative and assertive Babar Azam on the field.

“I want Babar Azam to be Vice Captain, he has experience, he has some knowledge he can communicate with bowlers and he should do. I can say it on his face that I don't wanna see quiet Babar Azam on the field, there should be some communication, some aggression on the field,”  Ravi Shastri said.

During the fourth day's play, Babar Azam fell just before tea, becoming a victim of a well-directed delivery from Australia's captain, Pat Cummins. Struggling against Cummins throughout the over, Babar's dismissal mirrored a similar fate in the first innings, where he was dismissed by Mitchell Marsh in a similar manner.