Tag: Babar Azam Tests

Babar Azam achieves career-best ranking in Tests

Posted on by A Sports

DUBAI: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam achieved a significant milestone in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batting rankings as he claimed his career-high ranking after the conclusion of historic Test series against England.

Babar, who enjoyed a prolific series with the bat against England, got the reward of his dominating year with the bat in red-ball cricket as the captain has now moved to his career-best second rank in Tests.

The right-handed batter swapped places with Australia’s veteran Steve Smith, while the latter’s countrymate Marnus Labuschagne continued to rule the batting chart with a delightful home series against West Indies.

Babar, however, moved closer to Labuschagne in the latest rankings as he had achieved 875 rating points, 61 short of Labuschagne’s.

 

Meanwhile, the English batters, who dominated hosts Pakistan in the recently-concluded three-match Test series were rewarded for their fantastic efforts.

Player of the Series Harry Brook jumped 11 places to join West Indies’ Jermaine Blackwood at the 44th position.

Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes jumped two places to secure 23rd position, while Ollie Pope captured 28th.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan endured their first-ever clean sweep at home by Ben Stokes-led England after the touring side sealed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory early on Day 4 in the final Test.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed hosts dinner for Pakistan Test squad 

‘Spinners dominate here’ Babar predicts conditions ahead of Test series

Posted on by A Sports

GALLE: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam opined regarding the playing conditions on offer here and claimed that the spinners dominate on these pitches ahead of the Green Shirts’ two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka.

In a scheduled pre-match press conference, the Pakistan captain acknowledged the importance of spinners in the series and claimed that they will play a key role.

“We played a warm-up game in Colombo and we found out that spinners dominate in these conditions,” Babar stated.

“Similarly, we heard that Galle pitch also supports spinners. Probably on the second and third day, or on the fourth day, spinners become too useful,” he maintained.

The right-handed batter also gave reference to the recently-concluded Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka while claiming that the touring side will plan by keeping the strength of the home side in mind.

“We have prepared ourselves strongly for the series, keeping in mind the strength of Sri Lanka at their home. We watched them play against Australia and will plan accordingly,” Babar shared.

World No.4 then expressed his hope in watching the Sri Lankan crowd in the stands despite the ongoing economic crisis and political unrest in the country, while also claiming that the Sri Lankan fans love Test cricket.

“Sri Lankan people love Test cricket. We saw their attendance in the Australia Test series, and it was impressive,” Babar said.

In response to a question regarding the safety and well-being of the touring side, the Pakistan skipper claimed that the Sri Lankan forces looked after them really well despite the ongoing tensions in the Island, while stressing that their sole focus is on cricket.

“We didn’t feel unsafe here because we have been looked after so well by Sri Lanka Cricket and security forces,” the skipper shared.

“We also played a warm-up game here and there weren’t any hurdles that made us feel unsafe. So, I think we should now focus on just our game,” he concluded.

READ: Pakistan captain Babar Azam backs out-of-form Virat Kohli