Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management to protect current skipper Babar Azam from the intense scrutiny of the British press during the national team’s ongoing Test tour of England.
Speaking on the Geo News sports show Score, Latif—who toured England as a player in 1992, 1996, and 2001—warned that the local media often attempts to draw visiting captains and teams into unnecessary off-field controversies.
To mitigate media pressure on the captain, the former wicketkeeper-batter suggested delegating press duties to former skipper Shan Masood. Latif noted that Masood’s familiarity with the English domestic circuit and articulate communication skills make him far better equipped to navigate media interactions smoothly. He added that experienced players like Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas could also serve as effective media representatives throughout the tour.
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan Test squad is currently in England preparing for a three-match Test series, with the opening fixture scheduled to commence on August 19 at Headingley, Leeds.
