In a strategic move ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aqib Javed, has thrown his support behind Babar Azam to continue as an opener for the national team. Javed made his stance clear during the post-match press conference after Pakistan’s five-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the final of the Tri-Nation ODI series in Karachi.
Despite the disappointing result, Javed expressed optimism about Babar’s promotion to the opening slot, emphasizing the management’s belief in maximizing his potential at the top of the order. The Champions Trophy is set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, and Babar’s role as an opener will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign.
Strategic Decision Behind Promoting Babar as Opener
Aqib Javed explained the reasoning behind the decision to move Babar Azam up the order. He pointed out that in the away series against South Africa, Babar was often at the crease in the first over, highlighting his capability to face the new ball. Furthermore, when Saim Ayub was injured, Babar had to open in Test matches as well.
“Our rationale behind the change was that if you look at the away series against South Africa, Babar Azam had to bat in the first over in all games. Then Saim got injured, and he had to open in Tests too. These pitches are not troubling the batters at the start, we wanted our best batter to make good use of the powerplay, that suits us more,” Javed explained.
Javed emphasized that Babar’s adaptability and technique make him the ideal candidate to utilize the powerplay overs effectively. He further stated, “I think, in these conditions, Babar should open, and I am hopeful that he will play big innings in important matches.”
Confidence in Team’s Potential for Champions Trophy
Despite Pakistan securing only one victory in the Tri-Nation ODI series, Aqib Javed remains confident about the team’s potential for the upcoming Champions Trophy. He highlighted the team’s strong batting depth and bowling attack, including the pace trio of Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi, who are expected to play pivotal roles.
“This team will do great in the Champions Trophy. If this team bats normally and down till number eight, you can score 350. If Haris Rauf gets fit and gets in form with Naseem and Shaheen as well as our spinners, this lineup has everything it needs to defeat any team,” Javed stated.
Javed also elaborated on the team composition, highlighting the importance of having a balanced squad with spin and pace all-rounders. “We had to have a spin all-rounder and a pace all-rounder, that is why Khushdil and Faheem are in the team. There should be variety when you are playing tournaments,” he added.
Analyzing the Karachi Pitch and Performance Review
Aqib Javed also shared his observations about the pitch conditions at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where the Tri-Nation ODI series final was held. According to Javed, the pitch was not conducive to high-scoring innings, which influenced the team’s decision to bat first.
“We saw the pitch in the morning and knew from that time that this wasn’t a high-scoring surface. A total of 270-280 would’ve been a good one. So that’s why we decided to bat first and try to post that kind of total and put them under pressure,” Javed explained.
However, Pakistan managed to post only around 240 runs, which was at least 30 runs short of a defendable total. Javed acknowledged this shortfall but remained positive about the team’s performance and the lessons learned for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The Road Ahead for Babar Azam and Pakistan
As the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on Babar Azam and his role as an opener. Aqib Javed’s confidence in Babar’s ability to deliver big innings in crucial matches highlights the management’s strategic approach to utilizing his batting prowess at the top of the order.
With a balanced squad and a clear game plan, Pakistan aims to make a strong impact in the tournament. Javed’s faith in the team’s composition and his backing of Babar Azam as an opener indicate a strategic shift that could prove to be a game-changer for Pakistan in the highly anticipated Champions Trophy.
