Pakistan batsman Babar Azam: “I’m aware that nowadays there’s a lot of talk about strike-rate and aggressive play. I know where cricket is heading. I don’t need to prove to anyone what kind of player I am – everyone already knows”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam said he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone in T20Is as everyone already knows “what kind of player I am”.
Azam has been under immense scrutiny lately as he has struggled to score runs consistently and fast enough.
In the past, the 31-year-old used to open the batting for the men in green in the shortest format, but was heavily criticised for his strike-rate being too low.
Acknowledging the criticism, the former captain said he understands fans were frustrated at times but maintained that he has always played “according to the situation and the team’s needs”.
“I play according to my own game. I’m aware that nowadays there’s a lot of talk about strike-rate and aggressive play. I know where cricket is heading. I don’t need to prove to anyone what kind of player I am – everyone already knows. I always play according to the situation and the team’s needs. I’m well aware of the importance of strike-rate,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Recently, Azam featured in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Australia and made 76 runs, which included a top score of 50 not out, at an average of 38 and a strike-rate of 124.59.
He is now taking part in the 2026 T20 World Cup and started his campaign with 15 off 18 balls in Pakistan’s three-wicket win over the Netherlands.
Pakistan will be back in action on February 10 when they take on the United States of America in Colombo.
Pakistan Squad for 2026 T20 World Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
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