Pakistan´s Babar Azam in motion throughout the first ODI towards South Africa at The Boland Oval in Paarl on December 17, 2024. — AFP
Pakistan batter Babar Azam’s current underwhelming performances have fuelled discussions about his position as an opener for the upcoming Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) Males’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to run from February 19 to March 9.
Interim head coach Aqib Javed voiced assist for Babar’s promotion to the opening place throughout a post-match press convention following Pakistan’s five-wicket defeat to New Zealand within the tri-nation ODI sequence closing on Friday.
Javed defended the administration’s resolution to raise the star batter, expressing optimism that Babar would thrive on this essential position throughout key matches forward.
Javed stated: “Our rationale behind the change was that if you look at the away series against South Africa, the right-hand batter 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.
“So, I believe, in these situations, Babar ought to open and I’m hopeful that he’ll play large innings in essential matches.”
Despite managing only one victory from three matches of the recently-concluded tri-nation ODI series, Javed remained confident in the squad’s ability to “do nice” in the upcoming tournament, suggesting that it has all the basis covered.
In contrast, other former cricketers have criticised and opposed this decision in light of Babar’s persistent poor performances in recent months.
During the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand, Babar struggled to make an impact, recording scores of 10 (23), 23 (19) and 29 (34) in three matches, including the final in Karachi.
As a result, former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir voiced discontent over Babar’s role as an opener in ODIs, asserting that the star batter is better suited on the No. 3 position.
During a recent interview, Amir highlighted Babar’s strength in building an innings from No. 3, where he can effectively anchor the batting lineup.
He stressed the importance of defined batting roles in longer formats, emphasising that an opener’s approach in ODIs and Tests differs from that in T20 cricket.
“As I’ve stated earlier than, if I don’t get to bowl with the brand new ball, I will not have the ability to utilise my power. Equally, Babar’s power is at No. 3, the place he is aware of the best way to assemble an innings. The position of an opener in T20s is completely different from that in ODIs and Assessments,” Amir stated.
“He has to do it in phases. In 10 overs, I’ve to take an opportunity. Within the subsequent 10 overs, I’ve to construct a partnership. The position is completely different. Babar, sure, he is a giant participant. However I believe he ought to have performed at quantity 3. That is his power. Sure, if you’re caught, you attempt various things. Perhaps I ought to take runs from right here or there,” he added.
Additionally, ex-Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez suggested that the team management should opt for Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq or Shan Masood to partner Fakhar Zaman at the top, allowing Babar to return to his preferred position.
“Shan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq or Abdullah Shafique, take any one as opener & let Babar Azam play at no 3 in Champions trophy. Make things easier for everyone,” Hafeez wrote on X.
Furthermore, former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs, who previously worked with Babar as the head coach of Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), took a dig at the former Pakistan captain’s English proficiency while responding to a fan on social media.
He also claimed that Babar is reluctant to adapt his game despite receiving suggestions that could enhance his performance.
On Thursday, a fan urged Gibbs to offer Babar advice to help him overcome his recent struggles with the bat.
The 50-year-old responded on X, stating that communicating with Babar is challenging due to the language barrier.
“Language is a matter with Babar… as you realize, his English is not nice, so it’s troublesome to get factors throughout to him,” Gibbs wrote.
The former opening batter further opined that Babar’s batting style and tempo have remained unchanged since his stint with Karachi Kings, despite his evolving role in international cricket.
“It was the primary time I labored with him, so for me, it was extra of an commentary than anything. However what I’ve seen since then is that he hasn’t modified his strategy — he nonetheless performs with the identical tempo and the identical pictures,” he stated.
Traditionally, Babar has thrived on the third place in ODIs, amassing a exceptional variety of runs.
Batting on this place, Babar has scored 5,416 runs in 104 matches at a powerful common of 60.17 and a strike fee of 88.33, with 29 half-centuries and 19 centuries to his title.
