LAHORE: Aqib Javed on Sunday said Babar Azam was the unanimous choice of the national selection committee for the Test captaincy, with no other candidate considered, while Misbah-ul-Haq indicated Shan Masood had been replaced after failing to produce consistent results.

Flanked by Asad Shafiq and Misbah, Aqib said that when the selectors deliberated on Shan’s replacement, there was complete consensus on Babar. “There was complete consensus on Babar Azam and only his name was proposed for captaincy,” he said.

Misbah added: “Consistency is critical in all aspects of life. Consistent decisions are necessary, but consistent performances are also necessary. If, during a certain period, you are unable to produce consistent performances, then you must take responsibility.

“The only question mark over Babar was in T20Is, and that too was related to his strike-rate. In PSL 2026, he showed improvement and performed well, confirming his value in T20 cricket. But we need to assess the Pakistan cricket team’s combination and where the coaches see his value.

“Babar has been an outstanding ODI player, while he needs to slightly improve his performances in Tests. Going forward, I think he is a valuable and consistent player who can be used across all formats. We need to determine where he can contribute best and give him the confidence to reproduce the performances he has delivered in the past.”

Babar reclaimed the Test captaincy from Shan Masood, who had succeeded him in November 2023. First appointed Pakistan’s all-format captain in 2020, this will be Babar’s second stint as Test captain.

His second tenure as T20I captain lasted barely six months before he stepped down in October following Pakistan’s first-round exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. He had taken over the role from Shaheen Shah Afridi in March.

Explaining the change in Test leadership, Aqib said: “We had two or three issues that were not being addressed. At Centurion, we were unable to finish the match, while we were dismissed for 80 in the second Test against the West Indies in Multan.

“All of us, including the players and selectors, have responsibilities to perform and deliver, but one of the captain’s primary responsibilities is to make decisions that help finish matches. Additionally, the captain is responsible for maintaining the over-rate, making DRS calls and taking the right decisions at the toss.

“Shan Masood’s own performances as a batter have been good, but as captain we did not get the desired results. As selectors, we wanted someone who could lead the side and produce those results.”

On Shaheen Shah Afridi’s omission, Aqib said: “You make decisions on a tour-by-tour basis. For the tours of the West Indies and England, we felt we needed pace. Nothing is permanent. Shaheen is undoubtedly a good bowler and we cannot write off anyone’s career. The bowlers selected for these two tours have produced strong performances and have been picked on merit.”

Misbah added: “It is unfair to judge that if a player has not been selected for one team or one tour, his career is over. Naseem Shah’s case is straightforward – the 2026-27 domestic season is approaching. I am sure he will play, perform and prove himself.

“The prime reason for not selecting Shaheen and Naseem is that the two have not been playing four-day cricket. Preference has been given to fast bowlers who have played in the domestic season and performed. The same applies to Noman Ali. When we need their experience, we will use them.”

Defending the selection committee, Aqib said: “Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed joined the selection committee only six months ago, whereas Asad and I have been selectors for nearly 18 months. Your argument is that Pakistan’s performances have been poor. I want you to do the research from the home series against England in Multan, when we started, and check the numbers across all formats. Then I will be happy to discuss the so-called worst performance.”