Salman Butt: “I hope it’s only a rumor, and the selectors are not thinking this way because it’s unfair and, strategically, it can backfire”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt hopes it is only a rumour that Babar Azam will open the batting in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
He noted that Azam shouldn’t open in the tournament as he is better suited to batting in the middle order.
This comes after regular opener Saim Ayub was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to the fractured ankle he sustained during the two-Test series against South Africa.
Azam did well in the ODI series against the Proteas, scoring 148 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 49.33.
Despite this, Salman reiterated that he doesn’t want the 30-year-old being promoted up the order.
“I hope it’s only a rumor, and the selectors are not thinking this way because it’s unfair and, strategically, it can backfire. We used proper openers in the difficult conditions, and now when we are going to play in suitable conditions where batters can score runs, where Pakistan needs a good start from the top and stability in the middle overs,” he said on his YouTube channel as quoted by A Sports.
“Babar Azam can provide that stability [in the middle order] to last in 50-over cricket.
“Why are you trying to expose Babar early? Do we even have a backup for him in the middle order? Didn’t we see in the South Africa series how crucial Babar and Rizwan’s partnerships in the middle were?
“I think we should go with proper openers, and Babar Azam should play at his usual position. That’s where he’s proven to be most effective.”
Prior to the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will play an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
The Champions Trophy will be held from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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