Pakistan batsman Babar Azam: “Opening the batting is a challenge but I have accepted this challenge on the demand of [the] team management”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam has revealed that he is opening the batting “on the demand of [the] team management”.
Azam got moved from number three to the top of the order after Saim Ayub fractured his ankle during Pakistan’s two-Test series against South Africa.
During the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, Azam amassed 62 runs in three games at an average of 20.66.
He had more success as an opener in the 2025 Champions Trophy, amassing 87 runs in two matches, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
The 30-year-old admitted that opening the batting is hard, but is enjoying the challenge.
“Opening the batting is a challenge but I have accepted this challenge on the demand of [the] team management,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Farid Khan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which led to them getting knocked out in the group stage.
Their final match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Next up for Pakistan will be a white-ball tour of New Zealand, which will comprise five T20Is and three ODIs from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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