Mohammad Rizwan: “I expect a lot more of him too because of all he has done in the past. There is obviously an additional pressure because of it and I’m sure he feels that too”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan said he expects a lot more from batsman Babar Azam considering everything he has achieved in the past.
Azam has been struggling to make runs on a regular basis, which has been a huge thorn in Pakistan’s side as he is one of their top batsmen.
Rizwan acknowledged that there is pressure on the 31-year-old to start performing well as it has been a long time since he has posted big scores on a regular basis.
“I expect a lot more of him too because of all he has done in the past. There is obviously an additional pressure because of it and I’m sure he feels that too,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Azam recently featured in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and started with 131 runs in two Tests, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 32.75.
He then made his T20I comeback, amassing 79 runs in three matches, which included a top score of 68, at an average of 39.50 and a strike-rate of 117.91.
Next up was the three-match ODI series, where Azam was limited to 45 runs at an average of 15.
However, he made up for it during the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka as he accumulated 165 runs, which included his first international century since August 2023, at an average of 82.50.
Afterwards, Azam took part in Pakistan’s T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and finished with 127 runs in five games, which included a top score of 74, at an average of 31.75 and a strike-rate of 112.38.