Despite head coach Misbah-ul-Haq’s claims of ‘no rifts’ in the teammanagement, captain Babar Azam takes exception to his opinion on the matterof picking the final XI.

Several media outlets had reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)had curtailed Misbah’s powers to have the final say in the playing XI afterblunders in team combination during the England and New Zealand tour.——————————

As per reports, Babar Azam will have the final authority on team selectionfor the upcoming Test against South Africa, starting from Tuesday inKarachi.

When Misbah was asked to comment on the same during a press interaction onSunday, he said:

We’ll discuss amongst ourselves and decide the final XI together. These arejust rumors. The management group and players are a team with everyonegoing in the same direction. We’ll debate regarding the final XI and itwill be a unanimous decision. We’ll analyze everything and then pick ourfinal XI.

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But, Babar Azam had an entirely different take on the matter when he wasasked the same question during an online interaction with media on Monday.

“I have to fight out with the team in the middle so I will pick the team.The head coach will give his inputs, but I will have the final say,” saidBabar.