ISLAMABAD, 10 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to limit Test captain Babar Azam’s interactions with the English media during Pakistan’s upcoming three-Test tour of England. Speaking on a television programme, Rashid said England tours can be challenging for visiting teams due to intense media scrutiny and suggested that the PCB adopt a cautious approach towards Babar’s media commitments. He said Babar, being an experienced player, could attract significant attention and recommended that former captain Shan Masood handle more media interactions. Rashid noted that Shan’s experience of playing in England made him better equipped to deal with the English media, while Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Abbas could also represent Pakistan during media engagements.
Babar Azam has returned to the Test captaincy after Shan Masood’s tenure ended following a difficult run of results. Pakistan’s three-Test series against England will begin at Headingley, Leeds, from August 19 to 23, followed by the second Test at Lord’s from August 27 to 31 and the third at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from September 9 to 13. The tour will be Pakistan’s first Test series in England since 2020 and is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Pakistan’s squad includes Babar Azam, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.