Cricket-Babar remains the linchpin of Pakistan's batting : Masood

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - England v Pakistan - Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India - November 11, 2023 Pakistan's Babar Azam in action REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/File photo

LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Babar Azam has relinquished the captaincy but he remains the cornerstone of Pakistan's batting, test skipper Shan Masood said ahead of their tour of Australia.

Babar stepped down as Pakistan's all-formats captain earlier this month after they failed to make it to the semi-finals of the 50-overs World Cup in India.