KARACHI: Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, addressed the ongoing speculations surrounding Babar Azam’s batting position for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin on February 19.
Babar Azam’s Recent Form Under Scrutiny
Babar Azam, who last scored a century with his impressive 151-run innings against Nepal in August 2023, has been under scrutiny due to his inability to produce big scores across formats. Despite being promoted to open the innings alongside Fakhar Zaman in the recently concluded tri-nation ODI series, Babar struggled to find form, managing just 10, 23, and 29 runs in his three outings.
This underwhelming performance sparked criticism from cricket pundits, who questioned the decision to shift Babar’s batting position, calling the move ‘unjust’.
Rizwan Confirms Babar Will Continue as Opener
Amidst the growing debate, Pakistan’s skipper, Mohammad Rizwan, cleared the air during a pre-match conference ahead of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand. He confirmed that Babar Azam would continue to open the innings, stating that the star batter was comfortable and ‘satisfied’ with the role.
“Babar Azam will open for Pakistan. We need a left-right combination in the middle overs, and Babar is satisfied with the position,” said Mohammad Rizwan.
He further praised Babar’s talent and importance to the team, adding, “Babar Azam is a great player, and we have high expectations from him. He is a key part of our team, and we are hopeful he will play a crucial role in our success.”
A Look at Babar’s Impressive Record at Number Three
Despite the new role as an opener, Babar Azam has historically been more successful batting at number three in ODIs. The prolific batter has amassed 5,416 runs in 104 matches at an impressive average of 60.17 and a strike rate of 88.33, including 29 half-centuries and 19 centuries.
While the decision to open with Babar continues to be debated, his past performances and Rizwan’s confidence in his abilities suggest that he could still make a significant impact in the Champions Trophy 2025.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to see if he can rediscover his form and lead Pakistan to glory on home soil.
