Ramiz Raja: “I feel proud as a Pakistani when Babar Azam’s name is mentioned wherever I go in the world and when top batters are mentioned. I think there is someone who has put Pakistan in ICC rankings. It is a great honor to keep his name alive”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has admitted that he feels proud “when Babar Azam’s name is mentioned wherever I go in the world”.
Ramiz noted that this shows Azam is among the top batsmen in the world, even though his form has taken a hit lately.
The 30-year-old was recently in action in Pakistan’s tour of South Africa and started off with 31 runs in two T20Is at an average of 15.50.
He then proceeded to make 148 runs in three ODIs, which included two fifties, at an average of 49.33.
As for the two-Test series, he finished with 193 runs, which included three half-centuries, at an average of 48.25.
Azam was unable to have the same kind of impact in Pakistan’s two-Test series against the West Indies in Multan as he mustered 45 runs at an average of 11.25.
“I feel proud as a Pakistani when Babar Azam’s name is mentioned wherever I go in the world and when top batters are mentioned. I think there is someone who has put Pakistan in ICC rankings. It is a great honor to keep his name alive,” Ramiz was quoted as saying on X, formerly known as Twitter.
After the West Indies Test series, Azam was involved in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he has amassed 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.
Following this, he took part in the 2025 Champions Trophy and finished with 87 runs in two games, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India, which resulted in them getting eliminated in the group stage of the tournament.
Their last match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to persistent rain.
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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