Mohammad Rizwan: “Babar Azam is a very composed player, which is why we decided to send him to open”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan limited overs captain Mohammad Rizwan has revealed that Babar Azam was chosen to open the batting because he “is a very composed player”.
Azam has opened the in T20Is in the past and formed a formidable partnership with Rizwan at the top of the order.
However, the 30-year-old has lately been tasked with being an opener in ODIs as Saim Ayub is currently out of action with a fractured ankle.
During the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Azam opened with Fakhar Zaman and scored 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.
He is now opening in the 2025 Champions Trophy and did well in Pakistan’s first game against New Zealand as he struck 64 runs off 90 balls, which included six boundaries and a six.
In the second game against India, he scored 23 runs.
“Babar Azam is a very composed player, which is why we decided to send him to open,” Rizwan was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan lost their Champions Trophy matches against New Zealand and India by 60 runs and six wickets respectively.
They have now officially been eliminated from the tournament and will conclude their campaign when they take on 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