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Former Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam hasn’t looked at his best in the recent past, specially in the ODI format. The cricketer, who opened for the Men in Green in the recently-concluded tri-nation series involving New Zealand and South Africa, amassed 62 runs across three innings, at an average of 20.66. His best score of 29, came in the final against the Black Caps.
Seeing him struggle with form ahead of the crucial ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed recently was enquired if Babar Azam will be expected to open in the marquee tournament. Speaking at the post-match press conference , following New Zealand’s five-wicket win over the hosts in the final, Aaqib Javed also highlighted the idea behind this change.
Babar should open and I am hopeful that he will play a big innings: Aaqib Javed
The Pakistan head coach stated that Babar Azam is expected to open for the hosts, expressing the team’s confidence. “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 said at the post-match press conference.
“So, I think, in these conditions, Babar should open and I am hopeful that he will play a big innings in important matches,” he added. Notably, Babar Azam’s last ODI century came 21 innings ago in the Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal. Furthermore, his century drought across formats in international cricket has now extended to over 60 innings.
While head coach Aaqib Javed have entrusted faith in Babar Azam getting back in form in the Champions Trophy, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali on the other hand, criticised the team’s decision to elevate the veteran cricketer as an opener. “If you had won the tri-nation series, then your confidence level would have been high, every boy’s confidence level would have been high,” Ali said on his YouTube channel.
“Who is the one who told Babar Azam to open? I am surprised who he is. What crazy people are they? He was performing well at number three, scoring 50-70 against South Africa, but they stopped that too,” he concluded.
