As the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, former Pakistan Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has shared his thoughts on Babar Azam’s batting position for the upcoming tournament. Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, Shehzad addressed the recent changes in Babar’s batting order and discussed what would be the most suitable position for the star batter.
Babar Azam’s Best Position: Number 3
Shehzad highlighted that ODI cricket is the format where Babar Azam has thrived the most. He pointed out that Babar’s natural game is best suited for this format, which doesn’t require him to make drastic adjustments. For years, Babar has excelled at number three, where his role was to stabilize the innings and anchor the batting lineup, especially after early wickets.
“ODI cricket has always been Babar’s forte. His game is naturally suited for this format, and number three has proven to be his most successful position,” Shehzad stated. “When Pakistan lost early wickets, Babar’s role was to steady the ship, and he did that effectively.”
Concerns Over Babar Azam’s Move to Open
However, Shehzad raised concerns over Babar’s recent promotion to the opening spot. Despite being one of Pakistan’s premier batters, Babar’s recent form has not been up to his usual standards. Shehzad believes that such a significant change in his batting position, particularly when his confidence is not at its peak, might not yield the desired results.
“Babar’s form isn’t at its best right now, and yet, they’ve moved him to open,” Shehzad noted. “If his confidence were high, such an experiment could have worked, but under current circumstances, it seems unfair to change his batting position.”
Babar Azam’s Recent Struggles
Babar Azam has faced criticism for his inability to score big runs across formats recently. His last century came back in August 2023, when he scored 151 runs against Nepal. Since then, his performances have been inconsistent, with scores of 10, 23, and 29 in the tri-nation ODI series and the buildup to the Champions Trophy.
As Pakistan prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025, Babar will need to regain his form, especially as he opens the batting alongside Fakhar Zaman, in a new role for the star batter.
