Mohammad Amir: “Babar’s strength is at No. 3, where he knows how to construct an innings. The role of an opener in ODIs and Tests is completely different from T20s”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir believes Babar Azam should go back to batting at number three as that is where his strength lies.
Azam is currently playing as an opener in the ODI team and previously batted at the top of the order with limited overs captain Mohammad Rizwan in T20Is.
However, Amir noted that playing as an opening batsman in Tests and ODIs is completely different when compared to T20Is.
Due to this, the 32-year-old feels Azam should drop back down to number three in ODIs as the Lahore native “knows how to construct an innings” from that position.
“As I’ve said before, if I don’t get to bowl with the new ball, I can’t fully utilise my strength. Similarly, Babar’s strength is at No. 3, where he knows how to construct an innings. The role of an opener in ODIs and Tests is completely different from T20s,” Amir was quoted as saying by A Sports.
“An opener has to adapt in phases. In the first 10 overs, you need to take chances. The next 10 overs are about building a partnership. Babar is a top player, no doubt, but I believe No. 3 is where he belongs. When you’re struggling, you try different things, but sometimes it’s best to stick to what works.”
Azam recently played as an opener in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and scored 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.
He is continuing to open the batting in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he kicked off his campaign with 64 runs against New Zealand, which came off 90 balls and included six boundaries and a six.
Despite his efforts with the bat, Pakistan lost the match by 60 runs.
In the match against India, he made 23 runs as Pakistan went on to lose by six wickets.
The men in green are now on the verge of elimination going into their final group stage game against Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi.
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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